March 22, (THEWILL) — The Israeli military has announced the killing of a senior commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan special forces unit, Abu Ali Riyan, in a targeted airstrike in southern Lebanon, as cross-border hostilities between the two sides continue to escalate.
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said Riyan served as the Radwan Force combat commander in southern Lebanon, describing him as a central figure responsible for coordinating operations, recruiting fighters and managing the group’s weapons supply chain.
The Israeli military said the strike formed part of its broader campaign against Hezbollah positions and leadership, which has intensified amid a widening regional conflict involving Iran and its allied groups. Officials in Tel Aviv maintain that the operations are aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s operational capabilities and preventing attacks on Israeli territory.
The Radwan Force is regarded as Hezbollah’s most elite unit, tasked with carrying out complex military operations, including potential cross-border incursions into northern Israel. The group has been at the forefront of recent exchanges, as Hezbollah continues to launch rockets and drones into Israeli territory, prompting sustained Israeli retaliation.
Recent developments indicate a sharp escalation in the conflict, with Israel reporting the killing of hundreds of Hezbollah fighters, including members of the Radwan unit, in ongoing air and ground operations.
However, Hezbollah has not officially confirmed the death of Abu Ali Riyan.
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