The Israel Defence Forces is destroying terror infrastructure in Southern Lebanon built up by Hezbollah over the past two decades, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday.
“A few weeks ago, we decided to shift the ‘centre of gravity’ of our operations from the southern to the northern arena. Our goal is to ensure the safe return of [residents of] Israel’s northern communities to their homes,” Gallant said during a situation assessment at the command centre of the IDF’s Operations Directorate.
“Over the course of one week, it may be determined that in many ways, [Hezbollah terror chief Hassan] Nasrallah remains alone at the top,” said Gallant.
The terror group’s Radwan Force “suffered a fatal blow following the elimination of their top commanders, including regional and brigade commanders, and the staff led by [Ibrahim] Aqil,” he added.
“Entire units were taken out of battle as a result of the activities conducted at the beginning of the week in which numerous terrorists were injured,” continued the minister.
A targeted strike by the IDF in Beirut on Friday killed senior Hezbollah terrorist Aqil – alias Al-Hajj Abdul Khader – in the predominately Shi’ite Dahiyeh neighborhood.
Aqil was a member of Hezbollah’s top “military” body, the Jihad Council, which is subordinate to the Shura Council and under the direct control of Nasrallah. He was also responsible for the Radwan Force commandos and led Hezbollah’s tunnel project in Lebanon.
Lebanese authorities said the strikes have killed almost 500 people, including more than 90 women and children.
“The airstrikes aren’t stopping, airstrike on airstrike. People are scared,” Hassan Dabouk, an official in Tyre, a city in the south of the country, told The Guardian.
“An important thing to note is that the roads are not safe. There is bombing from where we are all the way to Saida. One needs to think before they leave in this situation.”
The UN peacekeeping body in Lebanon has expressed "grave concern" for the safety of civilians as Israel's bombing campaign against alleged Hezbollah targets intensifies.
Gallant said: “Today is a significant peak – on this day we have taken out tens of thousands of rockets and precise munitions.
“What Hezbollah has built over a period of 20 years since the Second Lebanon War, is in fact being demolished by the IDF.”
“This is the most difficult week for Hezbollah since its establishment – the results speak for themselves. A blow has been dealt to the chain of command, to the terrorists themselves on different levels, to their shooting capabilities and to their morale,” he added.
Last Tuesday, at least 12 Hezbollah terrorists and two children were killed and some 3,000 others wounded across Lebanon when their pagers exploded.
A day later, more than two dozen Hezbollah operatives were killed and 450 wounded when their hand-held radios exploded.
Nasrallah acknowledged on Thursday that Hezbollah had suffered an unparalleled blow, accusing Israel of responsibility and vowing revenge.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Jerusalem was “chang[ing] the security balance of power in the north.
“For those who have not yet understood, I want to clarify Israel’s policy. We do not wait for a threat, we anticipate it. Everywhere, in every sector, at any time. We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets that are directed at Israel’s cities and citizens,” said Netanyahu.
“Together, we will stand strong, together we will fight, and with God’s help, together we will win.”
