IDF Eliminates Hezbollah Commander as Rockets Target Communities in Northern Israel

Latest Developments

Israel eliminated Hezbollah commander Muhammad Qassem al-Shaer — a member of the group’s elite Radwan Force — on September 10, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement. Al-Shaer’s death “is another blow to the ability of the Hezbollah terror organization to advance and carry out terror attacks from southern Lebanon against the Israeli home front on the northern border,” the statement declared. The IDF also targeted 30 Hezbollah rocket launchers that “posed a threat to Israeli civilians” in the towns of Jibbain, Naqoura, Deir Seryan, and Zibqin, the IDF said on September 11. Additionally, Israeli forces identified and eliminated “two Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Mis al Jabal in southern Lebanon.” The strikes on September 10 and 11 follow a pattern whereby the IDF responds to Hezbollah threats daily by carrying out precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure inside Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched an anti-tank missile at the northern Israeli community of Metula — one of dozens of Israeli communities that have been evacuated since October 2023 due to Hezbollah’s attacks — on September 11. In May, two IDF reservists were killed in Metula by a Hezbollah drone attack.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah’s attack on Metula in northern Israel illustrates how the terrorist group continues to attack Israeli civilian communities using missiles, rockets, and drones. The Iran-backed terrorist group’s daily attacks are aimed at carving out an area in northern Israel where it feels it can strike at a time and place of its choosing. The IDF responds to these attacks, but Hezbollah continues to act as if it is unphased.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Hezbollah’s latest attacks are a reversion to the status quo that has existed since October 8, punctuated by tense moments that seemingly threatened to spiral into a larger escalation. On the Lebanese side of the fence, the mutual attrition has caused damage that exceeds that of the Second Lebanon War. On the Israeli side, Hezbollah’s attacks are creating frustration and an erosion of morale among residents of the north who feel that they have been abandoned by a government that is failing to neutralize the group’s attacks and wider threat.” — David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow

Hezbollah Targets Northern Israeli Communities

In addition to the missile fired at Metula, Hezbollah also launched 30 rockets at Israel overnight between September 10 and September 11. Hezbollah has increased its attacks in the first week and a half of September, launching dozens of rockets at Israel. Overall, the group has fired more than 7,500 rockets toward Israel over 11 months. Hundreds of Israeli homes have been damaged by Hezbollah’s attacks, with more than 60,000 Israelis displaced.

Related Analysis

“Hezbollah Drone Strikes Israeli Apartment Building in Nahariya,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Launches Fifty Rockets at Israel, Striking Town in Golan,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Unveils Vast Underground Missile Complex,” FDD Flash Brief