Israeli Airstrike Kills Two Hezbollah Terrorists, Including Senior Radwan Commander

Latest Developments

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on February 22 killed a senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force and another operative. The Iran-backed terrorist group announced the death of Radwan commander Hassan Mahmoud Saleh, whom Sky News Arabia identified as a “prominent missile expert.” Hezbollah also confirmed the death of terrorist Hisham Abdullah. Israeli forces thus far have killed 208 Hezbollah fighters since the terrorist group initiated clashes with Israeli forces in northern Israel on October 8. 

The Radwan commander’s death comes on the same day that Hezbollah targeted northern Israel with anti-tank missiles, striking a private home in Yuval, a village in the Upper Galilee. Another anti-tank missile struck an open area near the northern Israel city of Kiryat Shmona. Both attacks did not result in any injuries. Israel estimates that there are approximately 5,000 operatives in the Radwan unit, which has the goal of conquering the Israeli Galilee.

Expert Analysis

“The rules of engagement between Hezbollah and Israel broke down on October 8, when Hezbollah began attacking Israel. These red lines are now being redrawn, in real-time, during the ongoing clashes, and both sides are tussling over which will emerge with the upper hand. Israel has been increasingly willing to strike at sensitive Hezbollah targets, including high-ranking commanders. Hezbollah, for all its furious responses, has simply been unable to match the Israelis, suggesting the latter are successfully redrawing the rules in their favor.” — David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow

“Israeli intelligence is proving that it can identify and eliminate senior members of Hezbollah much like commanders of other terrorist organizations operating in Gaza and Syria. These targeted strikes should serve as a message to Hezbollah’s leadership that those who plan and direct attacks against the Jewish state are within reach.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Hezbollah Threatens More Attacks

In recent weeks, Hezbollah’s barrages of Israel’s northern cities have increased, now surpassing rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza. Iranian state-affiliated media quoted Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem saying on February 22 that the group’s attacks on Israel will become more intense. At the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Israel evacuated more than 80,000 residents from communities along the Israeli-Lebanese border, fearing attacks from Hezbollah. Israeli officials have warned that Israel will use force to move Hezbollah from the border to north of the Litani River, as required by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, if diplomatic efforts fail.

Related Analysis

“Hezbollah Rocket and Anti-Tank Missiles Target Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Official: Our Missiles Can Reach All of Israel,” FDD Flash Brief “Israel Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander, Deputy in Strike,” FDD Flash Brief