Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli drone strike

Airstrikes by Israel in southern Lebanon killed three individuals, including a commander from Hezbollah, as per Lebanese security sources.

Ismail Baz, the Hezbollah commander, was killed in a strike targeting a car near the town of Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon, as confirmed by the Israeli military.

Baz was known for his role as the commander of Hezbollah's coastal sector and his involvement in planning attacks, including rocket and anti-tank missile strikes, against Israel.

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A video released on Tuesday by the Israeli army showed aerial footage of a moving vehicle being hit by a strike.

Earlier, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted an Iron Dome battery in the area. The group has made similar claims in recent months, which have been dismissed by the IDF as empty boasts.

The IDF eliminated the commander of Hezbollah coastal sector 💥 pic.twitter.com/vhZgj1sh53 — Adam Albilya - אדם אלביליה (@AdamAlbilya) April 16, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces said the two explosive-laden drones struck areas near the northern community of Beit Hillel.

The IDF said it was investigating why sirens did not sound during the attack.

Hours after the drone attack, Lebanese media announced that a person had been killed in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Ain Baal, a town near Tyre, approximately 15 kilometres (nine miles) away from the Israeli border.

The IDF later verified that they were responsible for the strike.

Hezbollah subsequently acknowledged Baz's death, stating that he was killed "on the road to Jerusalem," their term used for members lost in Israeli strikes.

⚠️ ÚLTIMA HORA: Según informes, el dron suicida de Hezbolá que se infiltró en el espacio aéreo israelí sobre el Panhandle de Galilea atacó cerca de una base militar en Beit Hillel. Número no confirmado de víctimas israelíes reportadas en el incidente. pic.twitter.com/SzYuNS81po — Doron (@plexaleOK) April 16, 2024

However, the group did not explicitly label him as a commander.

Since October 8, Hezbollah has attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border on a daily basis with rockets, drones, anti-tank missiles and other means, saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there.

(With inputs from agencies)