Israel eliminates top Hezbollah weapons coordinator in precision airstrike

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully neutralized a senior Hezbollah leader in a targeted strike in northeastern Lebanon.

The operation, which was based on precise intelligence, resulted in the elimination of Muhammad Mahdi Ali Shaheen, a key Hezbollah figure, a statement from the Israeli army says, Caliber.Az reports.

“Last night, under Intelligence Branch direction, the Israeli Air Force struck Al-Harmal, killing Muhammad Mahdi Ali Shaheen, a Hezbollah terrorist responsible for coordinating weapons smuggling on the Syria-Lebanon border," the statement notes.

Shaheen was a key figure in Hezbollah’s Bekaa region operations, orchestrating weapons transfers from Syria to Lebanon. He facilitated arms deals, smuggled weapons, and distributed them to Hezbollah units for their continued buildup.

His actions violated Israel-Lebanon agreements and posed a direct threat to Israeli security,” the statement notes.

“Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rearm. The IDF will continue to strike terrorists wherever they operate,” it added.

The IDF’s operation was described as a significant blow to Hezbollah’s military capabilities in the region.

The elimination of Ali-Shaeen marks another chapter in Israel’s broader strategy to target Hezbollah leaders and disrupt its military infrastructure, especially along the volatile Lebanese-Syrian border area.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military entered the village of al-Rafid in Syria’s Quneitra governorate, located in the southwestern part of the country.

Tensions quickly escalated in the southern section of the village, where riots erupted following the military's incursion.

In response to the unrest, Israeli forces fired shots into the air, reportedly as a warning, before retreating from the area. No casualties have been reported following the brief confrontation.

This latest incident highlights the volatility in the area and the complex security dynamics between Israel, Syria, and other regional actors.

By Vafa Guliyeva