The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed to have killed 3,500 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. The Times of Israel reported this information on Thursday (November 28) quoting the defense forces.

In a report, the media outlet said that the IDF estimates that its attacks have killed about 3,500 Hezbollah members in the past 14 months of fighting since the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. Most of them died during the ground offensive in southern Lebanon that has been ongoing since September.

The Israeli military said that in addition to the 3,500 fighters killed, about 7,000 fighters were seriously and moderately injured in these attacks. They are now unable to fight. However, Hezbollah has not commented on this Israeli claim. Although the Lebanese Ministry of Health regularly reports casualty figures, it never mentions exactly how many of them are Hezbollah members.

Incidentally, a ceasefire began in Lebanon on Wednesday (November 27) after a long period of conflict. Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire after more than a year of fighting. The ceasefire took effect at 4 a.m. local time (8 a.m. Bangladesh time). The initial period of the agreement will be 60 days. It will be extended later.

Earlier on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. According to him, the agreement was made possible by the mediation of the United States and France. Speaking at the White House, Biden said that the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the agreement by a 10-1 vote. He spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

He said that the agreement is designed to create a permanent ceasefire. Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will no longer be able to threaten Israel’s security. Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their respective communities. The initial period of the agreement will be 60 days. It will be extended later. It is expected that the agreement will end the bloody conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah that has been going on for more than a year. Thousands of military and civilian casualties have been caused by this conflict.