A Hezbollah field commander in charge of the Naqoura region on southern Lebanon’s coast has been killed today, alongside a commander in charge of rocket and missile fire in the West, according to Israeli military reports. Israel targeted the vehicle where the commanders were traveling in the area of Ain Baal, about nine miles from the border.
The field commander was identified as Ismail Yousef Baz, who Israel referred to as a “senior and veteran official in the military wing of Hezbollah.” They added that he was responsible for rocket and anti-tank missile fire from the Naqoura region.
The second commander was identified as Mahmoud Ibrahim Fadlallah of the rocket and missile unit. Hezbollah confirmed three members were killed in airstrikes over the course of the day, but did not identify them by name, rank, or circumstances surrounding their killings, so it’s unclear if they all died in the same strike, or just the two commanders.
A second drone strike by Israel was reported in Chehabiyeh, once again targeting a vehicle. It has not been identified who was killed in this strike, which came just hours after the strike in Ain Baal.
It’s not clear how the loss of Baz and Fadlallah will impact Hezbollah, nor how many rockets they were responsible for firing, since only a handful of rockets have been reported coming out of the western, coastal region.
Elsewhere, a pair of Hezbollah drones exploded in the area of Beit Hillel, wounding at least three Israelis. Israeli officials said the incident is under investigation as to why the drones didn’t trigger the usual air raid sirens.
Drone incursions from Hezbollah have become an increasing problem, with Israel mostly reporting drones that are intercepted or explode in unoccupied areas. This type of drone, however, is capable of considerable destruction.
The incidents came a day after Israeli troops trying to cross the border into southern Lebanon, ran headlong into Hezbollah explosive devices. Four soldiers were wounded, one of them severely.
Tensions are on the rise on the Israel-Lebanon border, with attacks escalating almost daily, and Israel threatening to invade the neighboring territory. Hezbollah has downplayed the risk of invasion, doubting Israel is capable of another invasion concurrent with their Gaza War.
