BEIRUT, Lebanon — In a precision strike on Thursday, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated Muhammad Hossein Sarur, the head of Hezbollah’s drone unit, in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
This operation, which was reportedly approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while he was en route to the United States, underscores the escalating military tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.
The IDF stated that the airstrikes were conducted with meticulous planning and execution, under the guidance of the Air Force and Military Intelligence Directorate.
According to Israeli Army Radio, the operation specifically targeted a multi-story building in Dahieh, a known Hezbollah stronghold.
The attack aimed at a designated floor where Sarur was believed to be present, reflecting Israel’s ongoing strategy to dismantle Hezbollah’s operational capabilities.
Following the strikes, local reports indicated that four individuals had been killed, and several others were wounded. The Hezbollah-affiliated news outlet Al Mayadeen confirmed the casualties but did not provide specific details about those affected.
Eyewitnesses described the aftermath of the strikes as chaotic, with emergency services responding to the scene amid rising smoke and debris.
Sarur, who joined Hezbollah in 1980, was instrumental in overseeing drone and missile attacks against Israeli targets.
His elimination is perceived as a significant blow to the group’s military leadership, as he had been pivotal in the establishment of drone production sites in Lebanon, many of which were reportedly located within civilian infrastructure.
His role extended beyond drone operations; he also acted as Hezbollah’s liaison to the Houthis in Yemen, focusing on collaboration related to aerial capabilities.
In the hours following the strike, Israeli communities in the northern Golan Heights activated rocket sirens. However, the IDF later classified these alerts as false alarms.
The military reported that the strike on Beirut occurred around 3:13 p.m. local time, coinciding with claims from Hezbollah of additional Israeli attacks on various locations across Lebanon.
Hezbollah reported that between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Israel struck targets in several Lebanese towns, including Aita al-Jabal, Toul, and Qana.
This spate of airstrikes raised concerns about potential retaliatory measures from Hezbollah, which has previously vowed to respond to Israeli aggression.
Thursday’s operation follows a series of targeted strikes by Israel aimed at high-ranking Hezbollah officials. Just days prior, Israeli forces killed Ibrahim Muhammad Kabisi, the group’s rocket chief, in a similar attack.
This pattern of strikes highlights Israel’s intensified military campaign against Hezbollah’s leadership, with a reported total of sixteen senior commanders having been targeted in recent weeks.
As tensions rise, the humanitarian implications of these military operations remain significant.
The strikes in densely populated urban areas pose risks to civilian lives and property, exacerbating the already precarious situation in Lebanon, which is grappling with an ongoing economic crisis.
The international community continues to monitor these developments, with concerns growing about the potential for further escalation in the region.
Israel’s commitment to safeguarding its national security remains firm, yet the consequences of its military actions on civilian populations in Lebanon raise pressing ethical questions about the balance between defense and humanitarian responsibility.