According to a recent report from Reuters, The Israeli military announced the killing of Muhammad Kamel Naim, commander of the anti-tank missile unit of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, during a strike in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon.
The attack marks a significant escalation in Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Hezbollah has yet to comment on the incident.
Tensions between Israel and the U.N. peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, in southern Lebanon have also intensified. Israeli forces are continuing to push through the region, targeting Hezbollah while simultaneously waging a battle against Hamas in Gaza.
In a recent development, the U.N. accused Israel of breaching one of its bases with tanks on Sunday, further straining relations.
Israel denied the allegations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing UNIFIL of providing “human shields” for Hezbollah, a claim the militant group has denied.
As the conflict deepens, the entire Middle East remains on high alert. Speculation is mounting that Israel could retaliate against Iran for the missile barrage launched on October 1, which was in response to Israel’s operations in Lebanon.
In response to the growing threat, the Pentagon announced on Sunday that it would deploy U.S. troops and an advanced anti-missile system to Israel.
On Monday, the U.S. embassy in Lebanon strongly advised its citizens to leave the country, emphasizing that government-organized evacuation flights, which began on September 27, would not continue indefinitely.
On Sunday, Israeli forces escorted foreign journalists into southern Lebanon, showcasing a Hezbollah tunnel shaft found less than 200 meters from a UNIFIL post, along with hidden weapon stashes.
Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin highlighted the proximity to the U.N. site, stating, “We are standing in a Hezbollah military base very close to the U.N.” The shaft’s trapdoor was concealed by undergrowth and overlooked by a U.N. observation post.
Since launching its ground operation near the Lebanese border, Israel claims to have destroyed numerous Hezbollah tunnel shafts, rocket launchers, and command posts in an effort to weaken the militant group.