An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for overseeing the group’s anti-tank operations, according to security officials and regional media reports.
The strike targeted a vehicle in the border town of Nabatieh late Friday, killing the commander and at least one other Hezbollah fighter. Israel has not officially confirmed the operation but said it continues to target militants posing threats along its northern frontier.
Hezbollah identified the slain commander as a key figure in its anti-armor division, which has played a central role in the group’s recent clashes with Israeli forces near the border. The militant group has vowed retaliation, calling the strike a “grave escalation.”
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been steadily rising amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, with near-daily cross-border exchanges of fire reported over the past several weeks. Analysts warn that such targeted strikes risk widening the conflict beyond Gaza, drawing Lebanon deeper into the regional confrontation.
The Lebanese government has condemned the attack, urging restraint and calling on international mediators to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has increased patrols along the border as both sides brace for possible reprisals.