The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday that it carried out an airstrike in the Zaita area of southern Lebanon, killing a Hezbollah operative involved in drone operations and terror activity along Israel’s northern border.
According to an official military statement, the operative was identified as Alaa’ Hourani, a member of Hezbollah’s aerial operations. The IDF said Hourani played a role in re-establishing the terror group’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon, gathering intelligence, and assisting in the deployment of Hezbollah forces during the ongoing conflict.
The military said the strike was conducted in response to “Hezbollah’s continued violations of the ceasefire understandings.”
The strike came less than 24 hours after another IDF operation in Jouaiyya, southern Lebanon, where a Hezbollah terrorist from the group’s 127th Aerial Unit was killed. That operative was also involved in rebuilding Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the area, the IDF said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Lebanon’s efforts to curb Hezbollah’s activity, saying the country’s government and army have failed to sufficiently disarm the Iran-backed terror group. Netanyahu’s office said Hezbollah continues to rearm and rebuild its infrastructure with Iranian support, undermining stability along the border.
Lebanon’s army earlier Thursday claimed it had achieved full operational control south of the Litani River, except for areas currently under IDF control. The military said it has entered an advanced stage of consolidating weapons and reaffirmed its commitment to being the sole authority responsible for security in southern Lebanon, aiming to prevent armed groups from using the border area as a base for attacks.
