By DAYO ADESULU
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it has eliminated a senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in a strike on a military headquarters in southern Lebanon.
According to the IDF, the overnight operation targeted a central headquarters used by Hezbollah to direct its activities in the Ansar area, following what Israel described as a Hezbollah attack against IDF soldiers operating within the Security Zone under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
The IDF identified the commander killed in the strike as Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, described as a battalion commander within Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.
The Israeli military said Hassan was involved in directing Hezbollah operations in the area and advancing attacks against Israeli troops.
IDF: Additional Hezbollah Operatives Also Killed
The IDF said several other Hezbollah operatives were also killed in the strike.
According to the Israeli military, the individuals were involved in planning and advancing attacks against IDF soldiers operating in the Security Zone.
The strike, the IDF said, was carried out against a headquarters that Hezbollah used to command and coordinate its activities in southern Lebanon.
Israel has repeatedly identified the Radwan Force as one of Hezbollah’s most capable military formations and has accused the group of maintaining operational infrastructure near Israel’s northern border.
IDF Addresses Reports About Commander’s Family
The Israeli military also acknowledged that Hassan’s family was reportedly present inside the building when the strike occurred and was harmed.
However, the IDF stressed that the family members were not the intended targets of the operation.
The military said the strike was specifically directed at Hassan, whom it described as a lawful military target.
The IDF further alleged that Hassan was using the military headquarters while accompanied by his family, describing the presence of civilians alongside him as an example of Hezbollah’s use of civilians as human shields.
The claim could not be independently verified from the information released by the IDF.
Israel Says It Will Continue to Enforce Ceasefire
The Israeli military said the operation does not represent a withdrawal from its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.
Instead, the IDF maintained that it would continue taking action against what it considers violations or threats to Israeli civilians and its soldiers.
“The IDF remains committed to the ceasefire agreement,” the military said, while warning that it would not allow Hezbollah to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians or IDF personnel.
The latest strike comes amid continuing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where the implementation of ceasefire arrangements remains fragile.
Why the Strike Matters
The reported killing of a Radwan Force commander could further raise tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly if the Lebanese militant group responds militarily.
The Radwan Force has long been regarded by Israel as a significant component of Hezbollah’s military structure. Its commanders and operational infrastructure have therefore remained a major focus of Israeli military operations.
For Israel, the latest action also underscores its position that the ceasefire does not prevent the IDF from responding to attacks or removing individuals it considers immediate military threats.
For civilians in southern Lebanon, however, continued military activity raises renewed concerns about the humanitarian consequences of escalating hostilities.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments could determine whether the latest operation remains an isolated incident or becomes part of a broader escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
#Israel #Hezbollah #IDF #Lebanon #RadwanForce #MiddleEast #IsraelLebanon #SecurityZone #BreakingNews
