Israel eliminated the deputy commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force during a targeted airstrike on Beirut, marking one of the most significant strikes on the militant group’s leadership in recent months.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that the May 5-6 operation killed Ahmed Ghaleb Balout, commander of the Radwan Force, along with his deputy and several other Hezbollah operatives in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of southern Beirut. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the strike, describing it as a surgical operation to neutralize emerging threats.
Balout had led the Radwan Force since January 2024 and was accused of orchestrating numerous attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, including anti-tank missile strikes and explosive device deployments. The IDF said he was also working to restore the unit’s capabilities and advance the “Conquer the Galilee” plan, Hezbollah’s strategy for invading northern Israel.
The strike represented Israel’s first attack on Beirut in nearly a month and the first targeting of a senior Hezbollah figure since the ceasefire agreement took effect in April 2026. Israeli officials said the operation was coordinated with the United States.
At least 11 other people were killed in related strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Hezbollah has not issued an official statement confirming the deaths.
