Arab media: The raid was intended to capture Sheikh Muhammad Yazbek, a senior Hizbullah leader.
“Galei Zahal” (IDF Radio) reports that in a raid last night in Lebanon, IDF helicopters inserted Israeli commandos in the Bakaa Valley west of the town of Baalbek on the Syrian border.
With the helicopters providing air cover, the commandos killed a number of Hizbullah fighters in the area, and captured five. Reports in the Arab media claim that the raid was intended to capture Sheikh Muhammad Yazbek, a senior Hizbullah leader, a member of the Supreme Council, and a closely associated with Iran. He was in a hospital in the Baalbek area.
The Israeli forces suffered no casualties.
Baalbek is a Hizbullah logistical rear center, with many Hizbullah fighters and Iranian Revolutionary Guards stationed in the town.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 2, 2006
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