The IDF conducted an airstrike in the Zaita region of southern Lebanon on Thursday, killing a Hezbollah operative, according to an official military statement.
A later statement from the IDF clarified that the operative was Alaa' Hourani, who was a Hezbollah drone operator. Throughout the IDF's conflict with Hezbollah, Hourani also aided in re-establishing the terror group's infrastructure in the region, as well as in intelligence gathering and deploying terrorist forces.
The military claimed the strike was in response to "Hezbollah's continued violations of the ceasefire understandings."
This comes less than 24 hours after the IDF struck Jouaiyya, southern Lebanon, killing a Hezbollah terrorist from the group's 127th Aerial Unit. The terrorist was also taking part in re-establishing the terror group's infrastructure in the region, according to a Wednesday statement.
Netanyahu weighs in on Lebanon's efforts to combat Hezbollah
Lebanon's government and army have not made sufficient efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and this is evidenced by the terror group's efforts, with Iran's help, to rearm and reestablish its infrastructure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Thursday afternoon.
The prime minister's comments came after the Lebanese army stated earlier that day that, outside the Israeli-controlled areas, it had achieved operational control south of Lebanon’s Litani River, had moved into “an advanced stage” of monopolizing arms in the area, and was committed to ensuring that armed actors are never again able to use the border area as a staging ground for military actions.
The statement reaffirmed the army’s commitment to being the sole actor responsible for maintaining security in Lebanon, with an emphasis on the area south of the Litani River
To this end, Lebanon’s army claimed “that its plan to consolidate weapons has entered an advanced stage, following the effective and tangible achievement of the objectives of the first phase on the ground.”
According to the army, having completed the initial phase, it has gained full operational control south of the Litani River, with the exception of those areas under the control of the IDF.
Sam Halpern and Miriam Sela-Eitam contributed to this report.