Hezbollah Claims Israel Casualties,Tanks Destroyed In Lebanon
Hezbollah claimed Saturday that its guerrillas have destroyed three Israeli tanks and caused casualties among Israeli troops in the incursion at the village of Maroun el-Ras in the last three days.
A spokesman for the Israeli military said he had no infomation about tanks being hit or about casualties in the fighting around the village, located close to the border. Hezbollah said in a statement read on its Al-Manar TV that an "epic battle" was taking place in the border village as Israeli armor and elite troops attempted to seize the center of town under the cover of airstrikes and artillery.
It said that in the three-day battle Israel lost three tanks and 20 soldiers killed or wounded.
"Our mujahedeen fighters are fighting valiantly," said the statement, adding that the guerrillas also hit an armored vehicle, causing casualties among its crew. Hezbollah warned the Israelis to expect more resistance if they invaded on the ground, after 11 days of airstrikes across the country.
The battle "was an example of what awaits the Zionists in every village, town and position," the statement said.