The Lebanese Army announced that during the night of March 6–7, 2026, at approximately 10:50 PM, military units detected four Israeli helicopters flying over the al-Khraybeh area near Baalbek, close to the Lebanese-Syrian border. According to the statement, two helicopters carried out an airborne insertion, deploying an Israeli force in the surrounding mountainous area while intense and widespread Israeli airstrikes targeted nearby villages.
Lebanese army units immediately implemented defensive and alert measures, including launching illumination flares to expose the landing zone. By the time the flares illuminated the area, the infiltrating force had reportedly moved from the initial landing site and disappeared from direct view.
The operation was accompanied by heavy bombardment and aerial shelling, followed by sweeping fire over the suspected infiltration area. According to the army, the infiltrating force later moved toward the town of Nabi Chit, where gunfire exchanges occurred between the Israeli force and local residents after the unit advanced from its initial landing position.
The military operation reportedly continued until around 3:00 AM, amid ongoing airstrikes and combat activity in the region. The Lebanese Army confirmed that three soldiers were killed, along with a number of civilians, as a result of the intense Israeli bombardment accompanying the operation.
The Lebanese military stated that investigations are ongoing to clarify the circumstances and details of the incident.
