An Israel Defense Forces airstrike in Southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed a regional Hezbollah terror commander, the military confirmed.
“Earlier today, the IDF struck in the area of Qaaqaaiyet el-Jisr in southern Lebanon, eliminating a Hezbollah terrorist who held the position of the commander of the Qabrikha area within the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” according to the Israeli military statement.
Lebanon’s independent Al Jadeed broadcaster identified the Hezbollah operative killed in the Israeli strike as Hussein Naama, a resident of Qaaqaaiyet el-Jisr, which is located in the Nabatieh Governorate.
The situation in Lebanon remains volatile following the end of the truce with Beirut on Feb. 18. The ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27 and ended more than a year of war, after Hezbollah began attacks on the Jewish state on Oct. 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel.
Although Jerusalem has withdrawn most of its ground forces since the war ended, it still controls five strategic positions in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have stated that the IDF will retain control of these areas until the Lebanese army demonstrates it can maintain security there.
The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported on Monday that it had discovered more than 225 hidden weapons stockpiles in Lebanon’s south since the ceasefire with Israel took effect in November.
According to UNIFIL, the coordinates of the arms caches have been relayed to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) for appropriate action.
UNIFIL’s mandate, authorized under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 following the 2006 Lebanon War, tasks the force with assisting the Lebanese government in extending its authority across the south. This includes ensuring that the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border remains free of unauthorized weapons and armed groups.
UNIFIL’s findings raised fresh concerns about Hezbollah’s ongoing military entrenchment in southern Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire terms.
Jerusalem has reiterated that the Lebanese government in Beirut bears full responsibility for preventing Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists from restoring their offensive capabilities on Lebanese soil.
