HIGHMILITARY

Hezbollah claims ATGM hit on Israeli Merkava tank near Qantara-Taybeh; IDF infantry engaged near Deir Seryan

2026-03-26 · 01:42 UTC·Qantara / Taybeh / Deir Seryan, southern Lebanon

Hezbollah claimed a direct anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) hit on an Israeli Merkava tank on the road between Qantara and Taybeh in southern Lebanon. In a separate statement, Hezbollah said it engaged an IDF infantry unit advancing toward Deir Seryan using rifle and machine gun fire. No IDF confirmation of the claims or reported damage. The engagements indicate active ground combat within the IDF's security zone push.

Hezbollah issued two statements on March 26 describing overnight ground combat in southern Lebanon. First, it claimed a direct hit on an Israeli Merkava tank with an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) on the road between Qantara and Taybeh — both villages in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon near the Blue Line. Second, in a separate statement, Hezbollah said it engaged an IDF infantry unit advancing toward Deir Seryan using rifle and machine gun fire during overnight clashes. The IDF has not confirmed either claim and there are no immediate reports of IDF casualties. These claims are consistent with the IDF security zone push declared on Day 26: IDF Chief Katz stated the intention to establish a security perimeter from the Blue Line to the Litani River. Ground forces advancing northward through Nabatieh district would encounter Hezbollah's prepared defensive positions in Qantara, Taybeh, and Deir Seryan. An ATGM hit on a Merkava is a significant claim — Merkava IV has active protection (Trophy system) but is not immune to modern ATGMs at close range. If confirmed, it would be the first Israeli tank loss in southern Lebanon since the 2006 war. The claim follows Hezbollah's 100+ rocket barrage and SAM engagement claim on Day 26 — a pattern of Hezbollah escalating its claimed military achievements as the IDF pushes deeper into its territory.

hezbollahmerkavaatgmidfground-combatdeir-seryanlebanonday27

Actor responses

HezbollahOPPOSINGMILITARY

Hezbollah: Direct ATGM hit on Merkava tank, Qantara-Taybeh road. IDF infantry engaged with rifle/MG fire advancing toward Deir Seryan. Ground combat confirms IDF security zone push has entered contested Hezbollah defensive territory.

IsraelNEUTRALMILITARY

No IDF confirmation of Merkava hit or infantry engagement claims. IDF security zone operation underway: Blue Line to Litani River. Standard IDF practice: do not confirm battlefield losses until officially cleared. ATGM claim requires verification.

Sources

T3Hezbollah statement / Times Now liveblog5% reliability