(AFP-France24) Kamal Saad, 33, commands the Israeli army's 299th Battalion operating in the north, where cross-border exchanges of fire have intensified since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The infantry battalion is 70% Druze, an Arabic-speaking minority in Israel who are known for being fierce fighters. "We grew up here, it's our home. We know every stone," says Saad. "Our mission is to protect the security forces operating here and the remaining civilians," he adds. His brother Alim was killed by Hizbullah on Oct. 9 in the area. The fire from Lebanon is sporadic, but it does take place every day. And for the first time in Israel's history, all civilians in areas along the border have been evacuated. In the north since Oct. 7, at least 70 Hizbullah fighters have been killed on the Lebanese side, and eight people inside Israel, including six soldiers.
2023-11-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive