Beirut strike removes Hezbollah's Radwan Force commander, IDF confirms PHOTO / VIDEO

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have eliminated a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force Unit, according to an official statement from the military.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), the IDF struck and eliminated Ahmad Ghaleb Balout, the commander of the Radwan Force — the elite commando unit of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah — in Dahiyeh, Beirut,” the army said.

According to the IDF, over the years, Balout held several positions within the Radwan Force, including operations commander. In this role, he was responsible for the unit’s combat readiness and operational activity against IDF forces and the State of Israel.

During the war, and especially in recent periods, Balout directed Radwan Force operatives and commanded dozens of terrorist operations against IDF forces in southern Lebanon, including the use of anti-tank weapons and explosive devices, the statement said.

The army also stated that Balout promoted efforts to rebuild the unit’s combat capabilities, including the implementation of the so-called “Conquer the Galilee,” which the unit had been developing and advancing for years.

The Radwan Force operates under the funding and direction of Iran, which Israel describes as a terrorist regime, with the aim of targeting IDF forces and Israeli civilians.

“The IDF will continue to operate against threats to the citizens of Israel and its forces, and against attempts by the Radwan Force to rebuild itself and re-strengthen its capabilities,” the statement added.

בתקיפה מדויקת בדאחייה שבביירות: צה"ל חיסל את מפקד יחידת 'כוח רדואן' בארגון הטרור חיזבאללה

מצורפת הודעת דובר צה"ל בנושא חיסולו של מפקד יחידת 'כוח רדואן', אחמד ע'אלב בלוט: https://t.co/hUibPKRDVV pic.twitter.com/c7EEeQNkGl

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) May 7, 2026

By Jeyhun Aghazada