Tel Aviv [Israel], May 3 (ANI): The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Sunday it had “eliminated” two armed Hezbollah terrorists operating south of the Forward Defence Line who posed an “imminent threat” to its troops.
The IDF said additional terrorists identified inside structures in the area who “posed a threat” were also eliminated in a subsequent strike.
Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said, “ELIMINATED: 2 armed Hezbollah terrorists operating south of the Forward Defence Line, posing an imminent threat to IDF troops. Additionally, terrorists who were identified inside structures in the area who posed a threat were eliminated in a subsequent strike.” (https://x.com/IDF/status/2050853776441868590?s=20)
Also on Sunday, Avichay Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces to the Arab media, shared a video on X and said the forces continue operations south of the defence line with the aim of removing threats to Israel. (https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2050849150917284211?s=20)
On Saturday evening, Adraee said the IDF conducted airstrikes on numerous Hezbollah-affiliated targets over the weekend and eliminated operatives who had operated near IDF forces in southern Lebanon. “As part of the strikes, approximately 70 buildings used by Hezbollah for military purposes and about 50 pieces of Hezbollah-affiliated infrastructure in several areas were destroyed,” he said.
He added that targets struck included Hezbollah command headquarters from which operatives launched attacks, a weapons depot, military buildings, and additional infrastructure used to advance plots against IDF forces and Israeli civilians. (https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2050625733345849772?s=20)
The Jerusalem Post described Hezbollah as a “Shi’ite terrorist group” based in Lebanon that has waged a guerrilla campaign against Israel since the 1980s. The group is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States, Israel, Canada, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The developments come amid a hardening of Hezbollah leadership. On April 27, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem reiterated the group’s refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, stressing continued resistance against what he called Israeli “aggression” and saying, “We will not give up weapons, and the defence and the field have proven our readiness for confrontation.” He also criticised the Lebanese government’s diplomatic approach and urged indirect rather than direct negotiations, according to Al Jazeera.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 26 said the ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon is being undermined by Hezbollah and warned Israel would respond with force to ensure security along the northern border, asserting that the IDF remains actively engaged.
This surge in military activity and rhetoric followed a U.S. announcement on April 23 of a three-week extension of the ceasefire. The U.S. administration said it would work with Lebanon to bolster its ability to protect itself from Hezbollah influence. (ANI)
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