IDF commandos conducting raid deep in Lebanon; 3 soldiers killed in south Lebanon village

Lebanese security sources said IDF soldiers had landed by helicopter near Baalbek as aircraft launched several strikes in the region.

One Lebanese officer saying the Israel Air Force presence in the air above the ancient city was "unprecedented."

Lebanese army and security officials said a major IDF operation was under way against suspected Hezbollah positions near Baalbek.

The operation began with at least five rapid air strikes three hours before the end of Israel's self-imposed two-day pause in air attacks.

"The extreme, unprecedented number of aircraft indicates the possibility that the Israelis are planning to land troops, but we cannot yet confirm that," said one security official on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.

Other security officials, also speaking anonymously for the same reason, denied IDF troops were on the ground.

Flares held aloft by parachutes lighted the night sky to a daytime brilliance, the official said.

Witnesses in Baalbek said they saw dozens of IAF helicopters hovering over the city and said it was on alert against a possible troop landing.

They said a private hospital in Baalbek, filled with patients and wounded people, was bombed by IAF helicopters late Tuesday. Plumes of burning smoke billowed from the hospital after it was directly hit, they said.

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