In a recent escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike targeted and killed Habib Maatouk, a senior field commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, in southern Lebanon. Maatouk’s death marks a significant loss for Hezbollah, as he had recently replaced another high-ranking commander who was also killed earlier this year in a similar strike, according to security sources.
The attack occurred in the border villages of Safad El Batikh and Jmaijmeh. Following the strikes, 18 people were reported injured and taken to the Tebnin government hospital, with two individuals listed in critical condition, as confirmed by hospital director Mohammed Hamadi.
The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict has intensified since Hezbollah declared a “support front” for Palestinians after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israeli border communities on October 7. This escalation has led to ongoing hostilities between the two factions, resulting in substantial casualties and destruction.
The conflict has claimed over 100 civilian lives and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, with devastation in Lebanese border towns and villages reaching levels not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war. The recent violence underscores the continued volatility in the region and the fragile state of security in the area.
Sources By Agencies
