IDF Drone Strikes Kill Senior Hezbollah Commanders in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out targeted airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, killing two senior Hezbollah commanders. The strikes dealt a significant blow to the Iran-backed terrorist organization.

The first target, Hussein Azqul, was identified as a key operative in Hezbollah's air defense system and was involved in the group's terror activities. The IDF released footage showing a missile hitting Azqul's car, causing it to lose control and burn. "Azqul's elimination was a significant blow to Hezbollah's air defense capabilities," the IDF stated.

In a separate overnight strike, the IDF killed Muhammad Attiya, a member of Hezbollah's elite Radwan unit. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of both Azqul and Attiya, referring to them as "martyrs killed on the road to Jerusalem."

These latest strikes bring Hezbollah's death toll to 287 since the start of the war in Gaza, including nearly a dozen senior commanders. Last week, the IDF confirmed the death of Ismail Yusef Baz, a longtime Hezbollah commander who oversaw some of the group's missile launches and terror operations against Israel.

Why this matters: The ongoing skirmishes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have resulted in significant setbacks for the militant group. The precision strikes against high-ranking Hezbollah terrorists demonstrate Israel's intelligence capabilities and resolve to counter threats along its northern border.

In response to the killings, Hezbollah launched a drone attack on Israeli military bases in northwest Israel, marking its deepest incursion into Israel since Hamas's terrorist attack on October 7, 2024. However, the IDF stated that the drone attack did not hit any facility in Israel.

The recent incidents occur amid escalating clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border as Israel continues its military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Around 70,000 residents from northern Israeli communities have been evacuated due to daily attacks from Hezbollah and other Iran-backed forces. The IDF remains on high alert and has vowed to continue targeting Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure in Lebanon to protect Israeli citizens.

Key Takeaways

• IDF carried out airstrikes in Lebanon, killing 2 senior Hezbollah commanders.
• Strikes dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah's air defense and terror capabilities.
• Hezbollah confirmed the deaths, referring to the commanders as "martyrs."
• Hezbollah launched a drone attack on Israeli bases, but it did not hit any facilities.
• Ongoing clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border, with 70,000 Israelis evacuated.