After a long interval, Israel has resumed targeting Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon. The latest target was a senior leader in the Shia militant group's elite Radwan Force.
Radwan Force takes part in special operations and often leads the Iran-backed militant group's attacks against Israel.
Who was Issa Ahmad Karbala?
Issa Ahmad Karbala was a platoon commander in the Radwan Force. He was reportedly responsible for moving weapons to various locations in Lebanon and launching attacks against Israel.
The Israel Defense Force said the Hezbollah operative's activities "constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon".
Karbala was killed while ride a motorbike in Ain Qana, around halfway between Beirut and Lebanon's southern border with Israel. His death was confirmed by the Lebanon health ministry.
This comes days after IDF destroyed several infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in Nabatieh, which is 10 km from Ain Qana. IDF claimed that Hezbollah was trying to regroup and set up bases across Lebanon.
Israel said it carried out airstrikes on October 11 to target "engineering equipment intended for the reconstruction of terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon." However, the claim was disputed by Hezbollah, the Lebanese authorities and the equipment's owner.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the strikes were "blatant aggression against civilian facilities".
Israel had reached a ceasefire with Hezbollah on November 27, 2024, wherein Lebanon was required to stop militants from attacking Israel while Israel required to stop "offensive" military actions in Lebanon. However, the pact stated that both Israel and Lebanon can act in "self-defence".
A monitoring committee of the US, France, Israel, Lebanon and the UN peacekeeping force UNFIL has been set up to track violations.