By DAYO ADESULU
The Israeli military has announced a series of operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as the destruction of a rocket-launching site allegedly used against Israeli forces.
In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) said they carried out an overnight strike in northern Gaza that targeted senior officials within Hamas’ General Security Apparatus, a body responsible for protecting Hamas leaders, coordinating communications, and facilitating the movement of top officials.
According to the Israeli military, those killed included Hassan Rabah Hassan Labad, identified as the deputy head of the apparatus and a key figure in its decision-making structure. Three other senior officials—Asim Amin Shalash Shubair, Abdullah Ata Younes Abu Kaloub, and Muhammad Naaman Zaki Abu Mark—were also reported killed in the operation.
The IDF alleged that the individuals had recently been involved in efforts to rebuild Hamas’ operational capabilities and support activities directed against Israel and Israeli troops. Israeli authorities stated that precautionary measures, including aerial surveillance and precision-guided munitions, were employed to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military also announced the killing of Abed Harb, whom it described as the commander of Hezbollah’s Engineering Unit in southern Lebanon.
According to the IDF, Harb oversaw the assembly and deployment of explosive devices intended to target Israeli soldiers. The military further claimed that he played a significant role in Hezbollah’s operations and had been involved in attacks against Israeli forces from the time of the 2006 Lebanon War up to the present.
In a separate operation on Thursday night, the Israeli Air Force reportedly struck and destroyed a rocket launcher that had been used by Hezbollah operatives to fire rockets toward Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon.
The military said the actions were part of ongoing efforts to neutralize threats posed by armed groups operating along Israel’s northern and southern borders.
Israeli forces under the Southern Command remain deployed in parts of the region in accordance with existing ceasefire arrangements, the military said, adding that operations would continue against what it described as immediate threats to Israel and its personnel.
The developments come amid continuing regional tensions, with military activity persisting in both Gaza and along the Israel-Lebanon border despite diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostilities.
