IDF eliminates Hezbollah drone commander in Beirut strike; over 700 dead as conflict escalates in Lebanon

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, concerns about a potential 'all-out war' between Israel and Hezbollah are growing. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced via a post on social media platform X that a precision airstrike in Beirut on Thursday (September 26) has taken out Muhammad Hussein Srour, the Commander of Hezbollah's Aerial Command.

IDF eliminate Hezbollah drone commander Abu Saleh in Beirut

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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the IDF wrote, “Eliminated: Commander of Hezbollah’s Aerial Command, Muhammad Hussein Srour, in a precise IAF strike in Beirut.”

According to the IDF, Srour had been involved in planning multiple aerial attacks aimed at Israeli civilians. The post added, “Srour advanced and directed numerous aerial terrorist attacks aimed at Israeli civilians. During the "Iron Swords" war, he executed several terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers using UAVs and explosive devices.”

"In recent years, Srour led the manufacturing project of UAVs in southern Lebanon and established UAV manufacturing and intelligence gathering sites in Lebanon, located adjacent to civilian infrastructure in Beirut and southern Lebanon," the IDF post said.

"He was also the commander in the surface-to-air missile unit, commander in the "Aziz" Unit of the Radwan Force and Hezbollah's emissary to Yemen and the Houthi terrorist regime's Aerial Command," IDF concluded.

Over 700 killedin Israeli attacks on Lebanon

According to the Lebanese MinistryofHealth report, at least 92 people were killed and another 153 wounded on Thursday in air strikes carried out by Israel on Lebanon. More than 700 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon this week so far.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah shared on its Telegram channel that it had fired over 50 missiles at Ahihud, north of Haifa, and launched rockets at Kiryat Shmona, military posts, and a command base in northern Israel. The group also claimed to have forced two Israeli warplanes out of Lebanese airspace using air defence systems.

Diplomatic solution between Israel and Lebanon is still viable: Antony Blinken

Despite international appeals for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has continued its airstrikes in Lebanon. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the growing calls for a ceasefire, saying that he planned to meet with Israeli officials in New York to discuss the issue. In London, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said, “Israel and Lebanon can choose a different path, despite the sharp escalation in recent days, a diplomatic solution is still viable.”

On Wednesday, the United States and France proposed a 21-day ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that Israel had no plans for a ceasefire. “Our policy is clear: we’re continuing to strike Hizbollah with all [our] strength, and we won’t stop until we achieve all our objectives – first and foremost the return of the northern residents to their homes securely,” Netanyahu said.

Israel set to receive military aid package from the US

In the meantime, as ceasefire efforts intensify, the United States has committed to providing an additional $3.5 billion in military aid to Israel. A State Department spokesperson confirmed that Congress had been informed of the Biden administration’s plan to release these funds, which Israel will use to purchase US-made military equipment.

(With inputs from agencies)