Israel said Wednesday it killed the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, his deputy and several other terrorists in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburb, the first Israeli attack in weeks on the Hezbollah stronghold.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz identified the target as Malek Balout, commander of the Radwan force. Israeli officials later said Balout had been killed along with his deputy and several terrorists who were with them.
Aftermath of Israeli strike on Beirut
A source close to the Iran-backed terrorist group told AFP that “a Hezbollah commander was killed in the strike.”
Balout has led the Radwan force since January 2024, when his predecessor, Wissam al-Tawil, was killed. It was the first time Israel targeted a senior Hezbollah figure since the start of the ceasefire, and since the killing of the group’s southern front commander in late March.
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Aftermath of Israeli strike on top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, Lebanon
(Photo: Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)
Security officials said in recent days that, despite appearances, Israel’s hands were not tied in Lebanon and that it was planning significant steps against Hezbollah, including in Beirut, if an operational opportunity arose.
Strikes in Beirut had been halted in recent weeks after Iran demanded a pause as a condition for entering negotiations with the United States. The latest strike came at a sensitive moment, amid reports of progress in Washington’s contacts with Tehran. An Israeli official said the strike on the Radwan force commander was coordinated with the Americans.
In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Katz said the military struck Balout in Beirut “to eliminate him.”
“The Radwan terrorists he led are responsible for firing at Israeli communities and harming IDF soldiers,” they said. “No terrorist has immunity. Israel’s long arm will reach every enemy and murderer. We promised to bring security to the residents of the north — this is how we do it, and this is how we will continue.”
A senior Israeli official said the political leadership instructed the IDF to kill the Radwan force commander in Beirut. The official said the operation was carried out surgically as part of Israel’s policy of thwarting emerging threats.
The official said directives for ceasefire violations that targeted Israeli forces and communities had come from the Hezbollah command center that was struck.
First published: 20:36, 05.06.26