Israel eliminates head of Hezbollah anti-tank unit in southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had killed Hassan Kamal Halawi, the commander of Hezbollah’s anti-tank unit, in a strike near Nabatieh, Southern Lebanon.

Halawi, a senior figure in the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, was responsible for numerous attacks against Israel and played a significant role in facilitating the movement of operatives and weapons into Southern Lebanon during the ongoing conflict, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The operation comes amid increasing tensions in the region, following recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. On March 22, the Israeli Air Force intercepted three rockets fired from Lebanon at the Israeli town of Metula. While three additional rockets fell short, the IDF responded with artillery fire and later struck Hezbollah assets in Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah denied any involvement in the rocket attacks, although the Israeli government maintains that Lebanon is responsible for all activities within its territory.

The deadly attack on Halawi marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been active since the war began following Hamas' October 7 massacre. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement underscoring that Lebanon is accountable for any actions occurring within its borders, reaffirming Israel's commitment to protecting its citizens and sovereignty.

Earlier this month, Israel and Lebanon initiated talks to address border disputes between the two nations. The negotiations, supported by the United States and France, aim to stabilize the region and resolve territorial issues, including the status of five strategic Israeli outposts in Southern Lebanon and the UN-delineated Blue Line border.

In the midst of these diplomatic efforts, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israeli troops would remain in southern Lebanon indefinitely to maintain security in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva