Israeli Special Forces Raid Hezbollah Stronghold in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley Searching for Missing Navigator Ron Arad, No Remains Found

The Israeli military confirmed that Israeli Air Force special forces carried out a raid overnight in eastern Lebanon in an attempt to locate the remains of missing IAF navigator Ron Arad, who disappeared after ejecting from his aircraft over Lebanon in 1986.

The operation took place in the town of Nabi Chit in the Beqaa Valley. According to the IDF, the mission followed a developing “operational opportunity” after an evacuation order was issued in the area on Friday, along with new intelligence gathered during the ongoing fighting with Hezbollah.

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During the raid, Israeli troops searched a site believed to potentially be connected to Arad’s disappearance. The military said no findings related to Arad were discovered, but the operation allowed investigators to rule out one possible location of his remains. Arad’s family was updated on the developments.

Lebanese media circulated footage claiming Israeli forces dug at a cemetery in Nabi Chit during the operation. Saudi channel Al-Hadath also reported that the raid was aimed at recovering Arad’s remains.

The IDF said the forces operated in the area while heavy Israeli airstrikes were carried out to isolate the site. Anyone who approached the troops was struck, the military said. The IDF also denied Hezbollah’s claims that its fighters engaged Israeli forces, stating that no fire was directed at the troops and that there were no Israeli casualties.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 16 people were killed and 35 others were wounded in the Israeli strikes carried out during the operation.