Smoke over Khiam, during fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, Oct. 31, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
Fighting continued Thursday between Hezbollah and the Israeli army around Khiam, in the Marjayoun district of southern Lebanon, according to security sources reported by our correspondent and Hezbollah statements on its operations. The Israeli army has been attempting to advance on Khiam, a town located about six kilometers from the border, since the evening of Oct. 28. Since then, clashes have been intense.
In statements released early in the day, the party claimed to have struck Israeli soldiers multiple times in the Wata al-Khiam area southeast of the village, as well as to the south of the locality. Since Israeli soldiers began advancing toward the town, Hezbollah has reported dozens of attacks targeting them.
Security sources speaking to our correspondent described “fierce” combat in the area since Tuesday. During these intense clashes, contact was lost on Tuesday with around twenty people from Wazzani who were residing in Khiam, where they worked as agricultural laborers.
Bombing near Khiam prison
These battles have been accompanied by aerial and artillery bombardment on Khiam for four days. One of these airstrikes Thursday targeted the vicinity of the Khiam prison, used during the war and the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon by the South Lebanon Army, a militia allied with Israel. The strike occurred "after the withdrawal of an infantry unit attempting to infiltrate" the town under smoke cover, according to a security source. The source also reported a “trap” set by Hezbollah east of the town, which reportedly caused casualties among Israeli forces.
According to a statement published by Hezbollah earlier this week summarizing its operations during the latter half of October, Israel’s attempts to advance toward Khiam, the deepest point into Lebanese territory reached by Israeli forces since the offensive began on Sept. 30, are part of a "fifth front" opened along the border. This front stretches from Khiam in the south to Shebaa and Kfar Shuba in the Hasbaya district.
Last week, senior Israeli Defense officials stated their army had not yet reached the villages below Mount Hermon on the eastern side of the border, particularly in the Hasbaya district, "but is preparing to do so."
