Qassam Brigades sent a message to Hezbollah as six Israeli tanks were destroyed in a Taybeh ambush, and clashes intensified across the southern Lebanon front.
Key Developments
- Qassam Brigades publicly support Hezbollah operations, expressing confidence in continued battlefield successes against Israeli forces.
- Hezbollah destroys six Merkava tanks in a coordinated ambush in Taybeh using guided missiles and sustained fire.
- Israeli forces suffer casualties as evacuation attempts come under attack, while media reports growing shock over Hezbollah capabilities.
Expanding Front
The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, announced on Thursday their support for Hezbollah’s ongoing operations in southern Lebanon, framing the confrontation as part of a broader regional battle.
In a video message, the Brigades expressed confidence that Hezbollah would “complete the mission successfully,” directly linking developments on the Lebanese front to the wider war.
The message referenced a previous statement by former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had said, “The tanks that leave Rafah … can reach the Litani River,” turning the remark into a symbolic reversal amid reports of Israeli tank losses.
The Brigades concluded their message by invoking the words of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah: “You will have no tanks left.”
Palestinian resistance factions echoed this position, describing current developments as “an existential war” and praising Hezbollah’s actions as a “heroic act” in the face of ongoing Israeli military operations.
🎦 WATCH: Qassam Brigades release video showing destruction of Merkava tanks in Gaza, sending message to Hezbollah: “You will complete the mission.” pic.twitter.com/w1kd2EjMuf
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) March 19, 2026
Taybeh Ambush
The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah reported in a statement that its fighters carried out a coordinated ambush against Israeli armored forces in the town of Taybeh, targeting Merkava tanks with guided missiles in a series of strikes early Thursday.
According to the group, the operation began at 00:05 with a direct hit on a tank in Baydar al-Faqani. Additional strikes at 01:15 and 01:30 brought the total number of targeted tanks to six, all reportedly struck with precision.
The ambush followed repeated Israeli attempts to advance into the area north of Taybeh. After monitoring troop movements, resistance fighters reportedly established a “well-planned ambush,” initially destroying a tank before striking additional armored units attempting to move deeper into the area.
As Israeli occupation forces attempted to continue advancing toward nearby areas, including Abu Makna in Deir Siryan, they were again targeted by guided missiles, leading to the destruction of five additional tanks. Fighters reported that Israeli soldiers withdrew from the battlefield under fire.
Helicopters were deployed to evacuate the wounded, but the resistance stated that it targeted evacuation zones with rocket salvos and artillery fire, maintaining attacks “until the moment the statement was issued.”
Casualties, Israeli Media Reaction, and Mounting Pressure
Sources cited by the Lebanese news platform Al Mayadeen confirmed that the ambush resulted in casualties among Israeli forces. Initial missile strikes hit armored units directly, and subsequent attacks during evacuation attempts caused further losses.
Field reports indicated that clashes remain ongoing, with Israeli warplanes carrying out air raids on Taybeh while helicopters continue to operate overhead amid sustained resistance fire.
Israeli media described the incident as a serious security development, noting that military censorship had restricted the publication of details. Reports acknowledged casualties, with at least two soldiers killed and 12 wounded since the escalation began along the Lebanese front.
At the same time, Israeli outlets admitted growing concern over Hezbollah’s capabilities. Media reports spoke of a “shock” among settlers due to continued missile attacks, while officials acknowledged that “life is almost non-existent in the north amid government neglect.”
Israeli Channel 12 also reported that the army had been surprised by the scale of Hezbollah’s attack despite prior warnings, underscoring the continued effectiveness of the group’s military operations.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials confirmed the launch of a ground maneuver in south Lebanon, announced by Defense Minister Israel Katz, though conflicting accounts suggest the operation remains limited in scope.
(PC, Al Mayadeen, Qassam military media)
Katz’s “ground maneuver” turned out to be a “bowel movement”. Ah, the heroic “Pampers Army”! Trump’s very own. Depend on it!