Hezbollah units fighting on Iran’s side claimed that on March 26 they destroyed 21 Merkava tanks and other heavy equipment, describing it as one of Israel’s largest losses in decades.

According to available reports, most of the armored vehicles were destroyed in a single battle between the towns of Taybeh and Qantara, where an Israeli armored group had advanced. Hezbollah stated that its fighters tracked the movement of Israeli forces and lured them into a prepared ambush, where multiple Merkava tanks, as well as engineering and military vehicles, were destroyed.

The escalation follows Hezbollah opening a second front against Israel in late February. In response, Israeli forces launched operations in southern Lebanon, where their armored units came under attacks from anti-tank weapons and FPV drones.

It is noted that Israeli tanks lack sufficient protection against drones, a vulnerability highlighted by footage circulating online showing strikes on Merkava vehicles. At the same time, the Israeli military traditionally does not disclose detailed loss figures. Hezbollah had previously targeted Israeli armor, including during operations in Gaza in late 2023, though on a smaller scale.

The reported effectiveness of the recent attacks is also linked to the deployment of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, which is considered more capable than regular forces and had not previously been widely used in direct combat against the Israeli army.