Israeli Strike in Deir al-Zahrani Kills Top Hezbollah Rocket Commander

An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday resulted in the death of a man identified as a Hezbollah operative, marking a serious breach of a ceasefire agreement that has been in place for six months. The strike took place in Deir al-Zahrani, roughly 20 kilometers from the Israeli border.

Escalation Despite Truce Terms

The target was reportedly en route to a nearby mosque for prayers when the vehicle he was traveling in was hit. Israeli defense officials stated the individual was a regional commander linked to Hezbollah’s rocket operations. They further alleged that he had been involved in coordinating attacks using projectiles and was recently working to rebuild militant infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

This development comes despite a truce signed late last year that aimed to bring an end to over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The agreement, which came into effect on November 27, required Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the Israeli border, and to dismantle its southern military installations.

Ceasefire Under Strain

As part of the same agreement, Israeli forces were expected to withdraw fully from Lebanese territory. However, Israel has maintained troops in at least five areas it considers vital to its security. These areas have remained points of contention in ongoing diplomatic discussions.

The Lebanese Armed Forces have been deployed in southern regions to oversee implementation of the agreement. They have reportedly undertaken efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s positions in the area. Nonetheless, repeated Israeli strikes in recent months have raised questions about the durability of the ceasefire and the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms in place.

The continued incidents signal a fragile truce, with each side accusing the other of failing to meet its obligations. The persistence of military activity in the border regions suggests that tensions remain unresolved and that the risk of renewed conflict is ongoing.