Israel announced on Thursday the killing of a senior commander in Hezbollah’s "Radwan Force" during an airstrike on Beirut yesterday. This marks the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since the ceasefire agreement took effect last month.
اضافة اعلان
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in separate statements the death of Ahmed Ghaleb Balout, a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, in a strike targeting the Southern Suburb (Dahiyeh) of Beirut on Wednesday evening.
The military statement noted that Ahmed Ghaleb Balout "held several positions within the Radwan unit over many years, including operations commander, and was responsible for the unit’s combat readiness and the restoration of its capabilities." The statement added that Balout led dozens of operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon during the conflict, including anti-tank missile fire and the activation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In a stern warning, Netanyahu stated: "There is no immunity for anyone who threatens Israel."
The Radwan Force is Hezbollah's elite unit, classified as the group's most prominent special forces wing, responsible for complex operations, ground offensives, and infiltration behind Israeli lines.
Additional Targeted Strikes
In a separate statement, the Israeli military announced it had also assassinated two other prominent Hezbollah leaders during strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday:
Mohammad Ali Bazzi: Head of intelligence for Hezbollah’s "Nasr Unit."
Hussein Hassan Romani: Head of Hezbollah’s air defense system.
The Israeli statement claimed these commanders were involved in developing and executing plans for attacks against IDF troops. The military further alleged it has killed more than 220 Hezbollah members since the Lebanese ceasefire began on April 16.
Wednesday's attack on the Ghobeiry area near Haret Hreik in the Southern Suburb was the first in the capital since the truce. A senior Israeli official told Yedioth Ahronoth that "the attack was coordinated with the United States."
Over the past months, Israel has intensified its targeting of Radwan Force leadership. Notable assassinations include:
Ibrahim Aqil: A top Radwan commander, killed in Dahiyeh in September 2024.
Wissam al-Tawil: A prominent field commander, killed in southern Lebanon in early 2024.
Habib Maatouk: A field commander who reportedly took over leadership roles following the killing of Ali Ahmed Hussein.
