The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported that a Hezbollah commander was among more than 150 fighters killed in operations carried out in the final 24 hours before a ceasefire took effect.
According to the military, the strikes targeted over 150 Hezbollah operatives during that period as part of intensified pre-ceasefire operations.
The army also said it hit approximately 300 military infrastructure sites linked to Hezbollah in the same timeframe.
“In the 24 hours prior to the ceasefire understandings taking effect, the IDF struck 150+ Hezbollah terrorists, along with ~300 military infrastructure sites,” the IDF statement read in part.
Hezbollah Commander Among 150+ Fighters Killed by IDF
Among those killed was Ali Rida Abbas, identified as the commander of the Bint Jbeil area, according to the IDF.
The military stated that Abbas had been involved in coordinating and advancing multiple attacks against Israeli forces.
“Among those eliminated was Hezbollah commander Ali Rida Abbas, the commander of the Bint Jbeil area, who advanced numerous attacks against IDF soldiers and Israel,” the IDF noted.
The strikes were conducted shortly before ceasefire understandings came into effect, marking a surge in military activity ahead of the truce.
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IDF Reports Hezbollah Ceasefire Violation
The Israeli army, in an earlier report on April 18, said its soldiers identified a group it described as a Hezbollah-affiliated cell approaching their position south of the defense line, in what it termed a violation of ceasefire understandings.
According to the military, the group was assessed as a threat to deployed troops, prompting a response in which the individuals were targeted.
“IDF soldiers identified a terrorist cell that violated the ceasefire understandings and approached IDF soldiers operating south of the defense line. The terrorists posed a threat to the troops, and in response, the IDF eliminated them,” the army said in a statement.
The army also reported striking an underground shaft in the same area, which it said was being accessed by Hezbollah fighters.
Also Read: IDF Eliminates Hamas Communications Commander, Targets Operatives in Gaza
It stated that the actions were taken in response to perceived security threats near operational positions along the defense line.
In a separate statement on April 18, the Israeli army said its forces in southern Lebanon had identified multiple incidents of suspected ceasefire violations after the truce came into effect.
According to the military, individuals described as militants approached from north of the Yellow Line toward positions held by Israeli troops, which it said posed an immediate threat.
The army stated that it responded with what it termed precise strikes targeting the individuals and related infrastructure to neutralize the threat.
