The Israeli military said it had launched strikes in southern Lebanon overnight targeting Hezbollah facilities in the terror group’s stronghold.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said six areas had been targeted including infrastructure in Chihine, Tayibe, Blida, Meiss El Jabal, Aitaroun and Kfarkela — and a weapons storage facility in Khiam.
The news comes amid fears of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah after thousands of pagers believed to be packed with explosives detonated across Lebanon.
The terror group has blamed Israel for the attacks which left dozens dead and thousands injured.
The strikes come after Israel‘s defence minister said a “new era” of the war had begun on Wednesday, igniting fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
According to the Israeli Defence Force, Mohammed Qassem Al-Shaer, a commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, was killed in a strike on the village of Qaraoun in the western Beqaa district.
The IDF said Al-Shaer had “advanced numerous terrorist activities against the state of Israel” and his “elimination” would impair the Iran-backed militant group’s ability to launch attacks against Israel from southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah said it would respond by firing several rockets over the border into Israel.
Lebanese state media NNA reported several Israeli strikes overnight with “extensive damage” caused to buildings, crops and infrastructure.
This month has seen the IDF eliminate a number of high-ranking members of Hezbollah as it steps up hostilities that have been ongoing since Hamas’ attacks on October 7.
Just weeks ago, Israel eliminated Hezbollah’s most senior military official, Fu’ad Shukr, in a drone strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold for the terrorist organisation.
Shukr is believed to be the highest-ranking member of Hezbollah to be killed by Israel in nearly a decade and his killing was a major factor in the heightening of tensions that is placing the region on the brink of all-out war.