Recent reports reveal that Israel has conducted massive airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, following an escalation in cross-border violence. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during his visit to the IDF Northern Command, stated that Israel's strikes had been devastating to Hezbollah's leadership. "Half of the commanders of Hezbollah's forces have been killed, and the rest are in hiding," Gallant disclosed. This comes after Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at the Galilee and an anti-tank missile hit a home on the Israeli border.

The IDF has targeted approximately 40 Hezbollah locations in the Ayta ash Shab area, including weapon storage facilities, infrastructure used for terror activities, and other operational sites. Saudi media describe these strikes as a "fire-belt," the first of such intensity since the conflict with Hamas escalated. Lebanese media reported at least 17 strikes by the IDF.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says half of Hezbollah's commanders in southern Lebanon have been killed. pic.twitter.com/02t5bP471X

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) April 24, 2024

In a retaliatory move, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing rockets at an Israeli border town and deploying a drone attack against Israeli military bases north of Acre. These attacks are part of a series of hostile engagements that mark the worst hostilities between the two foes in nearly two decades. The Israeli military is also preparing for a potential escalation along its northern front.

Despite these intense confrontations, the violence has mostly been localized to the Israeli-Lebanese border, with occasional Israeli strikes reaching into Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley. Since the outbreak of violence last October, IDF actions have resulted in the deaths of about 250 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, and an additional 30 in Syria, surpassing the death toll from the 2006 conflict. Conversely, Hezbollah rocket attacks have claimed the lives of 18 Israelis, predominantly civilians.

⭕️Defense Minister Gallant says approximately half of the Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon have been eliminated, while the remaining commanders are hiding and abandoning their posts due to the IDF operation

📹 - Elad Malka, Communications of the Minister of Defense pic.twitter.com/gbFovO8J6j

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) April 24, 2024

Minister Gallant emphasized the Israeli government's commitment to the safety of its northern residents, who were evacuated at the conflict's onset. The goal remains to ensure their safe return home amidst these challenging times.