Israel Eliminates Hezbollah Officer Rebuilding Terror Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon

Latest Developments

• Hezbollah Terrorist Eliminated: The IDF announced on October 31 that it had eliminated Hezbollah terrorist Muhammad Raslan, a maintenance operative in the group who was actively rebuilding terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The strike was carried out by Israeli Air Force assets operating under the IDF’s Northern Command in the area around the town of Khiam. Separately, at least two Israeli drone strikes were reported near Nabatieh later the same day.
• Undeterred Hezbollah Rearming: According to new intelligence reports, Hezbollah is reconstituting its arms, including rockets, anti-tank missiles, and artillery capabilities, in violation of November 2024’s ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed terrorist group. Some of the weapons are reportedly arriving in the country by sea and through weakened but functional routes through Syria. Despite the Lebanese government’s public pledges to disarm the group, there has been little progress in areas where Hezbollah is deeply entrenched, including Beirut’s southern district of Dahiyeh as well as the Bekaa Valley. Israel is reportedly losing patience with the lack of progress and is weighing a dramatic increase in military action in Lebanon to combat Hezbollah’s rearmament.
• Aoun Demands Increased Pressure on Israel: Meeting with German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul on October 31, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun implored the European Union, the United States, and the broader international community to “pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement announced” in November 2024. He claimed that the “Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duty south of the Litani [river]” and that “Lebanon is ready for negotiations to end the Israeli occupation, but any negotiation cannot be one-sided.” Aoun’s comments came one day after he instructed the Lebanese Armed Forces to “confront” IDF troops when they cross the border into Lebanon to carry out operations, an order Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem praised on October 31 as a “responsible position.”

FDD Expert Response

“The reality of South Lebanon is that only Israel has the will and capability to curb Hezbollah violations. Meanwhile, only the United States is capable of monitoring and approving such incidents as consistent with the November 2024 ceasefire agreement. UNIFIL is an irredeemable failure that will thankfully disappear soon. France is not a neutral or useful partner given its colonial history in Lebanon. The Lebanese government is getting stronger, as is Lebanese popular loathing of Hezbollah. It falls to Israel to continue to keep the group in check until the Lebanese authorities show that they have grown capable of doing it themselves.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“Since the new Lebanese government took office, there has been a false sense of international optimism driven by their statements about disarming Hezbollah. In reality, the Lebanese state has shown no willingness to do so. The Israeli campaign following the ceasefire is a testament to both Hezbollah’s ongoing rearmament efforts and the Lebanese government’s indifference toward them. With Lebanon continuing to stall on implementing the disarmament plan it has promoted for months but never adopted, the only remaining option to curb Hezbollah’s buildup appears to be continued Israeli strikes.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Israeli-Lebanon Ceasefire Shows Cracks as Aoun Calls on Lebanese Army To Confront IDF,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: October 20–26, 2025,” by David Daoud

“Why Israel Shouldn’t Celebrate Lebanon’s Promise to Disarm Hezbollah Just Yet,” by David Daoud

“Israeli Strikes on Hezbollah Surge as Truce Anniversary Nears,” FDD Flash Brief