Six Merkava Tanks Destroyed by Hezbollah in Retaliatory Strikes
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance group, announced a series of retaliatory strikes against Israeli military forces, targeting tanks, drones, and bases as clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border escalate.
Hezbollah reported on Tuesday that its fighters had destroyed six Israeli Merkava tanks in various locations south of Lebanon using guided missiles.
“In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, and in defense of Lebanon and its people, while a force of Israeli enemy soldiers were advancing towards the targeted Merkava tank on the outskirts of the town of Taybeh, at 02:00 pm on Tuesday, 22-10-2024, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted it with a guided missile and inflicted confirmed casualties including the dead and wounded,” the resistance said in a statement.
Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for striking another Merkava tank near Misgav Am, stating the attack resulted in the destruction of the tank and casualties among its crew.
The resistance group further announced that it had shot down a Hermes 450 drone over the Lebanese town of Jebchit.
Hezbollah fighters launched rocket barrages against Israeli forces stationed at Aita Al-Shaab and Khallet Al-Asaker, as well as Kiryat Shmona and Manara settlements within the occupied territories.
“At 10:00 pm on Tuesday, 22-10-2024, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted movements of ‘Israeli’ enemy soldiers in Malikiyah with a rocket barrage,” the statement added.
Additionally, Hezbollah deployed suicide drones targeting Israel’s Eliakim base, located south of Haifa, deep within the occupied territories.
The ongoing conflict intensified following Israel’s brutal military operations in Gaza, which began in October 2023. Lebanon has suffered heavily from these escalations, with 2,483 Lebanese civilians killed and 11,628 wounded due to Israeli strikes.
Hezbollah has vowed to continue retaliatory operations, targeting strategic locations inside the occupied Palestinian territories in response to Israeli aggression.