Nearly 1k Israeli military casualties; 42 tanks lost in South Lebanon

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah released an overview of the latest field developments in southern Lebanon and the Northern Front, revealing its latest tally of losses on the Israeli-side. 

Israeli losses on the frontlines

It is worth noting that this tally only includes Israeli losses since the start of the ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

In the statement, Hezbollah confirmed the elimination of 95 Israeli troops while 900 others were wounded. This tally includes both military officers and soldiers. 

As for the destruction of military systems and vehicles, Hezbollah said that its fighters destroyed 42 Merkava main battle tanks, four armored D9 bulldozers, two Humvees, an armored vehicle, and an armored personnel carrier (APC). 

The Resistance’s Air Defense Force downed three Hermes 450 drones and two Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

Hezbollah’s Military Media said that the toll, released late Thursday, does not include Israeli losses incurred in long-range and indirect attacks that targeted bases, military sites, settlements, and occupied cities.

Detailed updates

The Resistance’s Operations Room also released detailed updates on the performance of various Hezbollah divisions. 

Ground forces

Hezbollah explained that Israeli occupation forces have attempted several advancements into border towns across southern Lebanon in the past few days. However, Resistance fighters confronted these infiltration attempts. 

The 1st Axis 

The first axis of confrontations, extending from the coastal border town of al-Naqoura to Marwahin, saw infiltration attempts into the border towns of Chihine and al-Jibine. 

On the Israeli-side, the axis serves as the scene of operations for the 146th Reserve Division. 

The two towns were heavily bombarded by Israeli artillery units and aircraft before infantry attempted to advance toward the towns. Hezbollah fighters also monitored an Israeli reconnaissance force infiltration attempt into the Hamoul Valley, northeast of al-Naqoura. 

Hezbollah fighters confronted the advancing forces and pushed them back to the al-Labboune border area. 

Meanwhile, Hezbollah fighters fired barrages of rockets at Israeli forces and advancement routes into the town of al-Dhayra, as well as positions of forces in the Ras al-Naqoura military site and the Jal al-Aalam military site. 

The 2nd Axis

The second axis of confrontations, extending from the town of Ramiah to the town of Aitaroun and including the town of Aita al-Shaab, saw heavy fighting in recent days. 

Israeli occupation forces continue to attempt to secure their advance into Aita al-Shaab, which saw heavy fighting in the past few weeks. The same applies to the town of Aitaroun, however, Hezbollah fighters also attacked groupings and positions of Israeli occupation forces, specifically ones subordinate to the 36th Division.

The 3rd Axis

The third axis of confrontations, extending from the town of Blida to the town of Houla, opposite the al-Jalil Panhandle, saw no advancement attempts past the eastern sections of town in the area. 

Hezbollah said that Israeli occupation forces have created a sort of buffer zone on the eastern section of these towns, maintaining control by fire rather than fixed positions. 

The 91st Division has been tasked with this small area that is 8 km in length and only a few hundred meters into the border. 

Last week, Hezbollah fighters defended against an Israeli assault on the town of Houla, where Israeli ground forces were dealt heavy casualties. Following these confrontations, the 91st Division has opted to maintain its forces on the eastern edge of the town. 

The 4th Axis

The fourth axis, extending from the town of Markaba to occupied al-Ghajar and including the towns of Odeisseh and Kfar Kila, has been highly active in the past few days. 

This axis serves as the scene of operations for the 98th Special Forces and Paratroopers Division.

Israeli occupation forces attempted to advance less than a kilometer, past the border, into the northeastern outskirts of the town of Kfar Kila, into the Tal al-Nhas area, Hezbollah confirmed. 

During this attempt, Hezbollah fighters confronted the advancing forces, while fire support units launched heavy barrages of rocket and artillery weapons at military positions behind enemy lines. 

This resulted in multiple enemy casualties, which were evacuated from the area via military helicopters. 

The 5th Axis

The fifth axis, extending from the occupied town of Ghajar to the occupied Shebaa Farms eastward, saw several infiltration attempts by Israeli occupation forces. 

At the same time, Israeli forces focussed their fire on woodlands in the area, fearing that the natural cover could facilitate a possible counter-offensive by Resistance fighters. Infiltration attempts were also recorded, as Israeli forces attempted to take control of hilltops near the towns of Kfar Chouba and Shebaa. 

The 210th Regional Division has been tasked with operations on this axis. 

Hezbollah also said that its fighters continue to defend against recurring Israeli advancement attempts into the southern and southeastern neighborhoods of the town of Khiam. 

The Rocket Force

Hezbollah Rocket Force has also actively targeted Israeli sites and military assembly points across the Lebanese-Palestinian border, offering valuable fire support. 

Additionally, multiple long-range attacks were conducted by the rocket force, some of which targeted strategic military sites, deep into occupied Palestine. 

From October 17, 2024, to October 31, 2024, the Rocket Force conducted a total of 655 rocket attacks, 63 of which were executed in the three days prior to the release of the statement. 

Some attacks targeted sites 105 km away from the Lebanese-Palestinian border, in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.

The Unmanned Air Force

Hezbollah’s Unammaned Air Force also executed its own long-range attacks and supported fighters on the frontlines, by targeted groupings of Israeli troops. 

In the same time period, mentioned above, the Unammaned Air Force executed 76 operations, which saw the launching of more than 170 one-way attack drones. 

11 of these operations were conducted in the previous three days, with the deepest of attacks targeting a site 145 km south of the border. 

The Air Defense Force

Hezbollah’s Air Defense Force conducted 20 operations, attempting to down hostile targets, in the same timeframe. 

Four of these operations were conducted in the past three days. 

The Resistance also confirmed that supply lines toward the axes of confrontation have not been cut off since the Israeli aggression was first launched. Moreover, Hezbollah stressed that these axes have been supplied with both the necessary manpower and weapons needed to defend against the Israeli invasion.