The number of Hezbollah fighters who died in the ongoing war in South Lebanon exceeded the figures announced in the July 2006 war, despite the significant difference between the natures of the two battles.
Hezbollah described the recent confrontation as a “support front” for the Gaza Strip, while in 2006, it was an “open war” that extended to all Lebanese territories.
Hezbollah has been waging a battle against the Israeli army since Oct. 8. The operations remained confined to a geographical framework not exceeding seven kilometers on both sides of the border, with some exceptions, as Israel has launched targeted attacks on vehicles and buildings in the Bekaa (eastern Lebanon), the Chouf Coast, and the southern suburb of Beirut.
The party said that 279 fighters have died in southern and eastern Lebanon as a result of Israeli strikes and direct and indirect attacks.
Mohammad Shamseddine, senior researcher at Information International, told Asharq Al-Awsat that those are divided as follows: 260 fighters mourned by Hezbollah, 14 fighters by the Amal Movement, three fighters by Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya and one by the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, in addition to a Lebanese Army soldier.
The death toll announced since Oct. 8 exceeded the announced figures for the fighters who died in the July 2006 war.
According to estimates, the number of Hezbollah members killed in the July War is approximately 250, compared to around 1,200 civilians.
Shamseddine confirmed that the current number exceeds the deaths announced in the July War. At the same time, he stressed the need to take into account that the 2006 war “lasted 33 days,” while this battle has been ongoing for about 6 months, which definitely contributes to raising the death toll.
In addition to 279 fighters, other Palestinian militants died in the battle, who were mourned by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, in addition to 66 Lebanese civilians, including 23 women, 15 men, 8 children, 3 journalists and 18 paramedics, according to figures released by Information International.
