Israeli Strikes on Hezbollah Surge as Truce Anniversary Nears

Latest Developments

• Israel Responds to Latest Hezbollah Violations: Israeli air strikes killed four Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon on October 26-27. The IDF identified the dead as Ali Hussein Al-Mousawi, an arms-smuggling liaison between Lebanon and Syria; Abd Mahmoud Al-Sayed, Hezbollah’s representative in Al-Bayada; Muhammad Akram Arabiya, Radwan Force commander for Al-Qlaiaah; and Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatuni, a Radwan anti-tank specialist. Since the U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire of November 27, 2024, the IDF reported that it has killed over 330 Hezbollah operatives who were attempting to rebuild the group’s capabilities in violation of the deal.
• Ortagus Tours Border: U.S. Deputy Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus toured Israel’s northern border with Defense Minister Israel Katz on October 27, receiving an intelligence briefing on Hezbollah’s renewed activity. Katz vowed that Israel “will continue to defend its northern communities against any threat,” emphasizing ongoing U.S.-Israel coordination.
• Parallels With Gaza Ceasefire: An Israeli air strike on October 25 targeted a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in Nuseirat who was planning an imminent attack on IDF troops. Four Palestinians were wounded, but there were no confirmed fatalities. According to Israeli reports, CENTCOM was pre-notified as part of a coordination mechanism with Washington, though officials stressed that Israel retains full operational autonomy.

FDD Expert Response

“The nearly year-old Lebanon ceasefire has given Israel extraordinary leeway to continue degrading Hezbollah, even as Beirut’s new government seeks to disarm the Iranian proxy. This success depends largely on U.S. understanding and a shared vision for Lebanon’s future. Hezbollah is on the ropes — and must be kept there.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“The Nuseirat strike may serve as a test case for applying the Lebanon model to Gaza if diplomacy fails to disarm Hamas. The reported involvement of CENTCOM officers reflects an evolving U.S.-Israel operational dialogue that will remain critical for any strategy designed to prevent Palestinian terrorist organizations from reconstituting the threat they posed before October 7, 2023.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

“What must be done — and NOT done — to make sure Gaza cease-fire holds,” by Bradley Bowman

“How Israel Can Defend Itself in the Future,” by Jonathan Schanzer

“Hezbollah holds massive ‘Sayyed’s Generations’ scouting event in Beirut,” by David Daoud

“Trump says ‘disarm’ Hezbollah – Beirut says ‘contain’ Hezbollah,” by Hussain Abdul-Hussain