Lebanon Army Says Helicopter Crash Kills Two Personnel

A military helicopter ( Lebanese Army)
A military helicopter ( Lebanese Army)
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Lebanon Army Says Helicopter Crash Kills Two Personnel

A military helicopter ( Lebanese Army)
A military helicopter ( Lebanese Army)

Two Lebanese military personnel were killed when a helicopter crashed during a training flight east of Beirut on Wednesday, the army said in a statement.

"An air force helicopter crashed in the Hammana area during a training flight, killing two personnel and injuring one other," it said, AFP reported.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and the statement did not say what type of helicopter was involved.

Lebanon's economy has been in free fall since late 2019.

The economic crisis -- which the World Bank says is one of the planet's worst in modern times -- has plunged more than 80 percent of the population into poverty.

It has also taken a toll on public institutions including the military.

After the meltdown began, the army cut back on basics such as meat in soldiers' meals and in 2021 it even introduced helicopter joyrides for tourists in a bid to boost its coffers.



Israel Says It Arrests 4 Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon

 A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israel Says It Arrests 4 Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon

 A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)
A general view of southern Lebanon, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, November 27, 2024. (Reuters)

Israel said its troops arrested on Wednesday four Hezbollah operatives, including a local commander, when they entered what it described as a restricted area in southern Lebanon.

The two sides entered into a ceasefire early Wednesday that appears to be holding, but Israel has said it will strike the group in response to any violations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the arrests in a statement. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

The statement said Israeli troops have been ordered to prevent people from returning to villages near the border, where the forces are still deployed.

The ceasefire agreement gives Israel and Hezbollah fighters 60 days to withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon near the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers will patrol the area, and an international committee will monitor compliance.