Daijiworld Media Network- Beirut
Beirut, Apr 20: A senior Hezbollah member was killed and another seriously injured on Sunday in a targeted Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon's Kaoutariyet Al Siyad, Lebanese officials confirmed.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, the drone struck a vehicle on the eastern road of the municipality, triggering swift deployment of emergency responders amid ongoing Israeli aerial activity over the region.
The deceased has been identified as Hussein Nasr, a prominent Hezbollah operative from Harouf. The Lebanese Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Centre confirmed his death while another person sustained critical injuries in the attack, reported Xinhua news agency.
Israeli defense authorities later took responsibility for the strike, claiming Nasr was the deputy chief of Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, which is believed to handle weapons smuggling operations. According to Israeli sources, Nasr allegedly coordinated arms and fund transfers via Beirut International Airport, and facilitated procurement activities along the Syria-Lebanon border, playing a central role in Hezbollah’s military logistics.
In a related development, the Lebanese Army announced a successful raid in Saida-Zahrani, where they seized multiple rockets and launch platforms. The operation, launched on intelligence of a pending attack on Israel, also led to several arrests.
Though a ceasefire agreement has been in place since November 27, 2024, sporadic Israeli strikes have continued, targeting what Tel Aviv terms "threats" posed by Hezbollah. Some of these assaults have led to civilian and combatant casualties, stirring tensions in the region.
Meanwhile, President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to national sovereignty, stating that “the Lebanese Armed Forces must be the sole legitimate force in the country.” However, he stressed that any disarmament process must consider the prevailing conditions, advocating for a dialogue-based solution to internal divisions.
His comments follow Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem’s firm rebuttal of disarmament demands, describing them as “fantasies aimed at weakening Lebanon’s resistance”.
Hezbollah’s independent military posture continues to polarize Lebanese politics, amid calls for de-escalation and unified national defense policy.