IDF: Radwan battalion commander among 11 killed in retaliatory strikes in southern Lebanon

The Israeli Air Force intensified its operations in southern Lebanon on Saturday, conducting targeted strikes against Hezbollah command centers. According to reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry and local media, the death toll from these strikes has reached 11. Among the fatalities is a battalion commander from Hezbollah's elite Radwan force, identified by Lebanese sources as Ali Fakhr al-Din (also known as Abu Hassan Alaa), and another operative, Ali Hassan Hanjul. The strikes also reportedly killed five members of the commander's family who were present at the site.

Retaliation for Security Zone Violation

The IDF stated that the operations were a response to a serious security incident overnight Friday, in which Hezbollah launched an explosive drone at Israeli forces on the Ali Taher ridge. That attack wounded three IDF soldiers, one of whom remains in critical condition. The Prime Minister's Office and the IDF Arabic-language spokesperson emphasized that the retaliatory strike in Ansar targeted the specific headquarters responsible for ordering the drone attack.

Operational Context and Civilian Presence

Israeli intelligence indicated that Hezbollah had deliberately positioned military assets within compounds containing civilians. The IDF noted that the presence of the commander's family members was discovered only after the operation was underway, asserting that they were not the intended targets of the strike. The escalation has triggered a movement of displaced persons from the Nabatieh district as residents seek safety from the ongoing friction. Hezbollah issued a statement following the strikes, warning that it would respond to what it termed Israeli violations.