Reuters: Hezbollah deploys elite units to southern Lebanon

The Lebanese Hezbollah movement has moved Radwan special forces units to confront Israeli forces, according to three Lebanese sources familiar with the situation. The move marks the return of fighters to the border area from which they withdrew after the war with Israel in 2024.

According to the sources, members of the Radwan units have been ordered to stop the advance of Israeli tanks. Fighting is concentrated mainly around the town of Khiyam, where Israeli units reportedly advanced deeper into Lebanese territory on Wednesday.

Hezbollah entered the conflict on Monday when it fired rockets and sent drones towards Israel. The group said this was in response to the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US–Israeli attacks on Tehran.

Since then, Israel has carried out extensive strikes in southern Lebanon while strengthening its military presence in the border area. Residents in some areas have been ordered to evacuate.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group would confront what he called Israel’s plan of ‘occupation and expansion’. ‘For us, this is existential defence,’ he said in a televised speech.

During the 2024 war, about 5,000 Hezbollah fighters were killed, significantly weakening the group’s military capabilities. Nevertheless, the movement has announced several attacks on Israeli tanks and positions this week.

(reuters, est)