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Israel Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander in Pre-Ceasefire Strikes

The Israeli military states it killed Hezbollah's Bint Jbeil commander, Ali Rida Abbas, and more than 150 group members in strikes during the 24 hours before a US-mediated ceasefire began. Abbas was a senior figure in Hezbollah's armed wing and the fourth commander from that area killed since October 2023. Separately, one Israeli soldier was killed and nine wounded in southern Lebanon after the truce took effect, marking the second fatality since the ceasefire. Despite the pause in fighting, Israel's defense minister stated that disarming Hezbollah remains a central campaign objective.

Key Points: Israel Kills Hezbollah Commander, 150+ Members Before Truce

  • Senior Hezbollah commander killed
  • Over 150 members claimed dead in pre-truce strikes
  • One Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon
  • Ceasefire in effect but military vows continued action
  • Disarming Hezbollah remains key objective
2 min read

Israel Army claims killing senior Hezbollah commander Abbas

Israeli military claims killing senior Hezbollah commander Ali Rida Abbas and over 150 members in strikes before US-mediated ceasefire with Lebanon took effect.

"will continue to act to remove any threat to Israeli civilians and its soldiers. - Israeli military statement"

Jerusalem, April 19

The Israeli military said Sunday it killed Hezbollah's Bint Jbeil commander, Ali Rida Abbas, along with more than 150 members of the group in "pre-ceasefire strikes" during the 24 hours before a US-mediated truce took effect, media reports said.

The military said Abbas was the fourth Hezbollah commander for the Bint Jbeil area killed by Israel since October 2023. It described Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon as a key frontline area for Hezbollah attacks, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Abbas was considered one of the most senior officials in Hezbollah's armed wing and had survived Israeli strikes on the group's military leadership in 2024. There was no confirmation from Hezbollah.

Separately, the military said one soldier was killed, and nine others wounded "during combat" in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops remain deployed despite the ceasefire.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported the reservist was killed when a military bulldozer struck an explosive device planted by Hezbollah. The death marked the second Israeli military fatality since a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time (2100 GMT).

Since six weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began in early March 2026 amid the Iran war, 15 Israeli soldiers have been killed, according to military figures.

The military said it has killed about 1,800 Hezbollah members and struck 300 military infrastructure sites, including launchers, command centres, and weapons storage facilities across several areas in Lebanon.

Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military said it "will continue to act to remove any threat to Israeli civilians and its soldiers."

While lifting the wartime restriction on Lebanon, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said that disarming Hezbollah, whether through military or political means, remains a central objective of the campaign.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The timing of these "pre-ceasefire strikes" is very concerning. It feels like maximizing damage right before a truce. India has always advocated for peaceful dialogue. This escalation helps no one and only deepens the hatred. My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones, on both sides.
R
Rohit P
Hezbollah is a proxy for Iran, and Iran's influence in the region is destabilizing. Israel is acting against a real threat on its border. As Indians who understand cross-border terrorism, we should recognize the need for strong action. Hope the ceasefire holds this time.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi. The article mentions the soldier killed by an explosive device on a bulldozer. It's a grim reminder that even with a ceasefire, the ground remains dangerous. These conflicts leave behind a deadly legacy of unexploded ordnance for years. Tragic for civilians.
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Vikram M
The Defence Minister says disarming Hezbollah is the central objective. But can a group be fully disarmed by military means alone? Lebanon's sovereignty and political stability are key. The international community, including India, must push for dialogue. Military goals alone won't bring peace.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I have to criticize the framing here. The headline is "Israel Army claims..." and the article relies heavily on Israeli military statements. Where is the on-ground reporting from Lebanon? Where is Hezbollah's side or voices from affected Lebanese towns? We need balanced journalism, not just press releases.

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