BEIRUT (AP) — The Israeli military confirmed that a special forces operation conducted in eastern Lebanon overnight in search of Ron Arad, an Israeli navigator missing since 1986, did not result in the discovery of his remains. The operation was marred by violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 41 individuals and injuries to approximately 40 others.
Ron Arad went missing after parachuting from a fighter jet that crashed in Lebanon during military operations against suspected Palestinian militants. After his capture by local gunmen, he was believed to have been held in the town of Nabi Chit. He vanished following a fierce battle in 1988, and since then, Israel has made multiple attempts to locate him.
The Israeli special forces reportedly landed in a mountainous area along the border with Syria before advancing towards Nabi Chit, where they clashed with Hezbollah and local fighters. The Lebanese army corroborated the account, noting that Israeli forces were dressed in uniforms resembling those of the Lebanese army and utilized ambulances during the operation, which bore emblems of Hezbollah's Islamic Health Organization. Lebanese army commander General Rudolphe Haikal stated that three soldiers were among those killed in the crossfire.
According to a resident of Nabi Chit, Israeli operatives dug up a grave in a cemetery during their search. However, the Israeli army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, later clarified that no evidence or remains related to Arad were located during the operation. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for engaging the Israeli forces, and the Israeli air force conducted around 40 airstrikes in the area to facilitate the unit's withdrawal.
Tami Arad, Ron's wife, expressed her concerns regarding the safety of Israeli soldiers involved in these operations. On social media, she emphasized that while the quest to uncover the fate of her husband is enduring, it should not come at the cost of soldiers' lives. She reiterated this sentiment, highlighting the importance of prioritizing life over the need for closure regarding her husband's disappearance.
Since his capture, Arad has been the subject of various reports and attempts to locate him. In 1994, Israeli commandos captured the leader of the faction responsible for his abduction, but Arad's fate remained uncertain. Hezbollah once suggested that he might have died after an escape attempt. In the midst of ongoing regional tensions, Israeli airstrikes continued, targeting various locations in eastern and southern Lebanon amidst the increasing hostilities and periodic military exchanges between Israeli and Hezbollah forces.
The current escalation in violence follows the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which catalyzed renewed conflict in the Middle East. The Israeli air force reported strikes in southern villages, resulting in casualties among civilians, including families caught in the conflict.
This operational history surrounding Ron Arad reflects not only Israel's long-standing efforts to recover missing soldiers but also the complex and volatile relations with Lebanon, characterized by ongoing conflicts and casualties on both sides.
