Reports published by the Qatari network Al Jazeera stated that the organization’s fighters managed to shoot down one of the helicopters during the clashes.

Two Hezbollah sources indicated, on condition of anonymity, that the aircraft was shot down while participating in the operation; a Lebanese security source confirmed that the helicopters intended to carry out a landing on Lebanese territory.

The clashes erupted early Monday near the town of Nabi Chit, in the eastern mountain range bordering Lebanon and Syria.

Security sources informed that Hezbollah fighters opened fire with anti-aircraft weapons after detecting intense Israeli helicopter activity over the border mountains.

A Hezbollah statement added that the fighters detected the infiltration of the Israeli helicopters at 00:10 hours (local time), when the aircraft, from Syria, flew over the towns of Khanta, Yahfoun, Nabi Chit, Arsal, and Ras Baalbek.

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