Israel says Hezbollah operations chief Ahmed Balout killed in Beirut strike

The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the killing of Ahmed Ghaleb Balout, commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, in an airstrike carried out in Beirut last night, The Times Of Israel reported.

Balout was targeted in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. The IDF also published footage of the strike.

According to the military, Balout held several positions within the Radwan Force over the years, including previously serving as its chief of operations.

The IDF alleged that during the war and in recent months, Balout directed “dozens” of attacks against Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, including anti-tank guided missile fire and explosive attacks.

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Further, the IDF claimed that Balout had also advanced efforts to restore the operational capabilities of the Radwan Force, particularly around the implementation of the “Conquer the Galilee” plan, which refers to Hezbollah’s plans to invade Israel.

The strike marked the first attack in the Lebanese capital in nearly a month. The previous strike in Beirut was carried out on April 8, after Donald Trump reportedly asked Israel to halt attacks targeting Beirut.