The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has eliminated the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front in Beirut.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the Israeli Navy struck Beirut on Wednesday, March 31, killing Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, the Southern Front commander.
According to Avichay, the Southern Front is the unit in Hezbollah responsible for carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens and engaging IDF forces in southern Lebanon.
“The Defense Army eliminated in Beirut the commander of the Southern Front in the terrorist Hezbollah, the so-called Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem,” Avichay said
“During his command, Hashem oversaw the launching of rocket projectiles and hostile drones toward Israeli territory and led efforts to rebuild Hezbollah’s capabilities.”
Hashem is the most senior Hezbollah commander to have been killed by Israel since hostilities escalated amid the war with Iran.
IDF Kills Hezbollah Southern Front Commander Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem
Hashem, a commander with over 40 years of experience, is regarded as one of Hezbollah’s main pillars.
He assumed leadership of the Southern Front after the elimination of Ali Karaki, who was killed alongside Hassan Nasrallah during Operation Northern Arrows.
Over the years, Hashem oversaw the Nasr, Aziz, and Badr units—responsible for engaging Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and launching rocket attacks toward Israeli territory.
Avichay claims that in recent years, he also planned and directed thousands of attacks against Israeli civilians and the Defense Army forces.
The Spokesperson said the operation to eliminate Hashem constitutes a major blow to Hezbollah’s capabilities to carry out attack plans against citizens of the State of Israel and to manage the continuation of fighting against the Defense Army forces in southern Lebanon.
Also Read: Israeli Strike Kills IRGC Engineer Behind Hezbollah Tunnels, Confirms IDF
Southern Lebanon to Remain Under Israel Control After Conflict with Hezbollah
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister has announced plans to establish a buffer zone inside southern Lebanon, with Israel maintaining security control over a swathe of territory even after the current conflict with Hezbollah ends.
Israel Katz said the area to be occupied would extend up to the Litani River, about 30 km (18.6 miles) from the Israeli border.
Katz reiterated that this would include the demolition of entire Lebanese border towns and that hundreds of thousands of residents would not be allowed back to their homes.
“The return of more than 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who fled north will be completely prohibited south of the Litani until safety and security of northern Israeli residents is ensured,” he said.
Also Read: Israel’s Plan to Seize Foreign Land and Displace 600,000 Lebanese Residents
Hezbollah Dominates Southern Lebanon as Israel Launches Strikes
For decades, southern Lebanon has been dominated by Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that has fought a long-running conflict with Israel.
The Iran-backed group was formed in the wake of Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on March 2 and has been carrying out widespread airstrikes across the country.
The action followed Hezbollah rocket attacks into northern Israel, which were in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Iran’s supreme leader in late February, marking the start of the war with Iran.
Even before that, Israel conducted near-daily strikes on Hezbollah despite a ceasefire agreed in 2024.
Since early March, at least 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 124 children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The UN’s humanitarian affairs office reports that 52 health workers have also been killed.
