Israel strikes southern Lebanon (AP)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said it killed Hezbollah operatives in Isreali strikes carried in southern Lebanon.In a post on X, the IDF announced that the strikes targeted Ali Hussein Al-Mousawi, responsible for weapons purchasing and smuggling between Syria and Lebanon for Hezbollah, and Abd Mahmoud Al-Sayed, who acted as Hezbollah’s local representative to residents of Al-Bayada. “Both these terrorists’ activities constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF said.The strikes come amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and violations of the November 2024 ceasefire, according to the IDF.The operation coincided with a visit by Israeli defense minister Israel Katz to the Lebanon border, where he was accompanied by US deputy envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus. Katz’s office said IDF commanders briefed both officials on the strikes during their tour, reported The Times of Israel.Also present were US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, northern command chief Maj Gen Rafi Milo, and other IDF and US Central Command officers.