From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 17, 2024
IDF confirms strike on Lebanon’s Najjarieh, which killed Hezbollah official
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli military confirms carrying out strikes against facilities in southern Lebanon’s Najjarieh, which it says were used by Hezbollah air defense unit.
According to the IDF, several Hezbollah operatives were gathered at the sites in the coastal town, south of Sidon.
“These compounds were used by Hezbollah’s air defense array, and posed a threat to Israeli aircraft,” the IDF says in a statement.
לפני מספר שעות תקף חיל האוויר תשתית בה פעלו מחבלים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה, הכוללת מספר מתחמים בכפר א-נג׳רגיה שבדרום לבנון.
מתחמים אלו משמשים את מערך ההגנה האווירית של חיזבאללה והיוו איום על כלי טיס ישראליים >> pic.twitter.com/VMQ5cynkYa— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) May 17, 2024
The IDF says Hezbollah’s air defenses are located within “a civilian environment, while risking the lives of civilians in southern Lebanon.”
“The IDF will not tolerate a violation of aerial operational freedom and will operate to defend against any threat. We warn the citizens of Lebanon to refrain from cooperation with the Hezbollah terrorist organization and emphasize that in doing so, they endanger themselves and their surroundings,” the military adds.
Hezbollah announced the death of one member following the strike, named as Hussein Khader Mahdi, from Najjarieh. Sources said two Syrians were also killed in the strikes.
The Times of Israel Community.