Israel Eliminates Hezbollah Terror Commander

Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated a senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force on April 8. The IDF said that “fighter jets struck and eliminated Ali Ahmed Hassin, the commander of the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s Radwan Forces in the Hajir region. The strike was carried out in the area of Sultaniyeh in southern Lebanon.” The IDF said Hassin was responsible for “planning and carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians in northern Israel.” Hassin held a rank equivalent to a brigade commander in Hezbollah’s forces.

The strike eliminated two additional Hezbollah operatives. Hezbollah has been responsible for thousands of attacks on Israel since October 8, when it began to attack Israel in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 massacre. In six months of conflict, Hezbollah’s attacks have killed eight civilians and 10 IDF soldiers in northern Israel. Israel has also evacuated communities along the northern border due to Hezbollah’s attacks.

Expert Analysis

“The elimination of an elite Hezbollah commander is an important achievement for Israel in Lebanon. Hezbollah has carried out thousands of attacks on Israel over six months of war. Hezbollah senior commanders have directed attacks using rockets, drones, and missiles. These have caused Israel to evacuate 80,000 residents of northern Israel. Hezbollah’s attacks are unprecedented in their extent and must be deterred.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“The elimination of Radwan Force commander Ali Hassin is a blow to Hezbollah. While terrorist organizations can readily replace foot soldiers, finding individuals with the same level of leadership and battlefield experience is a much harder task. Following previous Israeli eliminations of Radwan Force members, Hezbollah has typically launched retaliatory strikes in northern Israel. It’s doubtful that the death of Ali Hassin will prompt any significant changes in Hezbollah’s strategy.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Iranian Foreign Minister Travels to Damascus

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian flew to Syria from Oman on April 8, Iranian media reported. The visit comes in the wake of Iran blaming Israel for an airstrike in Damascus on April 1 that killed a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander. Iran has supported the regime of Bashar al-Assad throughout the Syrian civil war and sent members of the IRGC to fight in Syria.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to punish Israel since April 1. “The evil Zionist regime will be punished at the hands of our brave men,” stated Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on his official website. “We will make them regret this crime and the other ones.” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on April 7 that Israel has “completed preparations for a response against any scenario that would develop against Iran.”

Related Analysis

“Israel on Alert for Iranian Strikes After Damascus Blast,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran’s Supreme Leader Threatens to Punish Israel After Syria Airstrike,” FDD Flash Brief

“Senior IRGC Leader Killed in Damascus Air Strike,” FDD Flash Brief