Israel strikes eastern Lebanon, killing dozens, after raid to recover IDF pilot’s remains fails

Commandos started digging up grave thought to be of Ron Arad, leading to gun fight with local residents and Hezbollah fighters

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An Israeli operation in eastern Lebanon to locate the remains of a famous IDF pilot ended in failure overnight, when the commandoes were caught in a gunfight with Hezbollah and local residents, leading Israeli jets to pummel the area with airstrikes that killed dozens of people.

The fighting left three Lebanese soldiers and 41 residents of the Bekaa valley dead, according to the Lebanese army and ministry of health. No injuries were reported among the Israeli soldiers.