Israeli tanks advance in Wadi Hujeir, of which Wadi Slouki is an extension, in southern Lebanon, in December 2024, during a cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel. (Credit: Muntasser Abdallah)
The Israeli army said Thursday it has established "operational control over the northern part" of the Wadi Slouki valley, a strategic corridor notable for its terrain favorable to ambushes and concealment operations, connecting communities in the central, eastern and western sectors of southern Lebanon.
In a message on X, the army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said Hezbollah used Wadi Slouki to launch explosive drones and projectiles at soldiers operating in the area. He specified that during their operations, troops destroyed hundreds of military infrastructures belonging to the pro-Iranian Shiite group and killed more than 50 militants, seizing weapons, including explosives, anti-tank missiles and anti-tank missile launchers.
In the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Wadi Slouki, like Wadi Hujeir, has been the frequent target of Israeli army artillery fire and airstrikes. This valley is located between the three communities of Houla, Majdel Selm (Marjayoun district) and Shaqra (Bint Jbeil district). It is an extension of the much larger Wadi Hujeir, which connects the Litani River to the Lebanese-Israeli border. Wadi Hujeir also connects the villages of Aitaroun and Ghandourieh, both located in the Bint Jbeil district. The Wadi Slouki valley is also known as the “valley of death” or “valley of the martyrs,” as it has historically served as a passageway for militants heading toward the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The Crusaders, more than 800 years ago, also used this valley during their operations in the region. Historians say they built a castle in its western part, the Doubbieh fortress, located near the community of Shaqra, to secure their route to Jerusalem.
