On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a precise airstrike that eliminated Muhammad Hussein Srour, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Aerial Command, an Iran-backed militant group. In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), the IDF stated that Srour was responsible for planning and executing multiple aerial terrorist attacks targeting Israeli civilians.
The strike led to at least two deaths and 15 injuries, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The IDF highlighted Srour’s role in multiple terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers during the Iron Swords War. “During the ‘Iron Swords’ war, he carried out several attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers using UAVs and explosive devices,” the IDF noted in its post.
The statement also revealed that Srour was responsible for leading Hezbollah’s UAV manufacturing project in southern Lebanon and had established drone production and intelligence sites near civilian infrastructure in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Additionally, the IDF reported that Srour commanded not only Hezbollah’s Aerial Command but also the surface-to-air missile ‘Aziz’ unit of the Radwan Force. He also served as Hezbollah’s emissary to Yemen and collaborated with the Houthi regime’s Aerial Command.
In his address at the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to targeting Hezbollah. “We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force,” Netanyahu declared.
He emphasized, “We will not stop until we achieve all our objectives, chief among them the safe return of northern residents to their homes.” Netanyahu also rejected a 21-day truce deal proposed by the US, France, and other allies, instructing Israeli forces to “continue the fighting with full force.”
During the same UNGA session, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the escalating conflict was “threatening the very existence” of Lebanon.
Despite Israel’s stance, the US and France are persisting in their efforts to broker a 21-day ceasefire between the two nations.
The White House confirmed that Israel had been fully briefed on the ceasefire proposal. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire was not final. “It would be a mistake for the prime minister to refuse it, as he would be taking responsibility for regional escalation,” Macron warned.
The ongoing cross-border conflict between Israel and Lebanon has claimed nearly 700 lives this week alone and displaced approximately 118,000 people. Israel’s military has carried out extensive airstrikes, targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including munitions depots and missile launch sites. In response, Hezbollah has pledged to continue its “battle without limits” against Israeli operations.
