Israeli Army Says Senior Hezbollah Missile Unit Member Killed in Drone Strike

The Israeli army claims that early on Friday, April 10, it killed the deputy commander of Hezbollah's missile unit in a drone strike in southern Lebanon. According to 'The Times of Israel', Ali Naeem was targeted while driving in the Bazouriya area near the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army stated that Naeem was considered 'a significant source of technical knowledge in the terrorist group Hezbollah, playing a key role in the missile domain.' The Israeli army added, 'He was also one of Hezbollah's leaders in heavy warhead rocket firing and was responsible for planning attacks against Israeli civilians.' Hezbollah confirmed his death but did not describe him as one of its commanders. The Israeli army has released images of the attack. On Wednesday, April 8, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets towards Kiryat Shmona, a northern Israeli city near the Lebanese border. According to Reuters, this rocket attack was in response to a deadly Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, April 7, which killed at least seven people. Israeli websites reported in early March that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had given Hezbollah the green light to escalate attacks against Israel in the event of a ground operation by the Israeli army in Rafah. The Israeli site 'i24 News' stated that 'Post-Arabi' Turkey, citing various Iranian and IRGC sources, reported that this order was given by Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, to Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, during their meeting in Beirut. According to this news site, Nasrallah requested from Qaani to prepare for more short and medium-range ballistic missiles to be sent to Lebanon, in addition to drones and Russian reconnaissance and communication systems. Following the October 7 attack by Iranian-backed Hamas militants on southern Israel, which killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, Hezbollah has repeatedly launched rocket attacks against Israel. In response to these rocket attacks, Israel has targeted positions of this group. So far, over 200 Hezbollah members and 40 civilians in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: A Hezbollah commander and four militants were killed in Deir ez-Zor. Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Aleppo; two security sources told Reuters: 38 people were killed. Israeli army spokesman: The Islamic Republic is operating on four separate fronts against Israel. Hezbollah drone attack on the Golan Heights; Israel: Two hostile aerial targets 'fell.' Israeli Defense Minister: Hezbollah's aggression has brought a 'critical moment' closer. Regional reports: IRGC has given Hezbollah the green light to increase attacks on Israel.