Israel kills Hezbollah commander in Beirut strike as tensions rise on Lebanon front

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian 

The Israeli assassination of Ahmad Ballout in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday night underscored once again that no Hezbollah official or member is beyond Israel’s reach, even in the heart of Beirut.

According to Tel Aviv, the assassination could contribute to rising tensions along the Lebanese front. 

However, those tensions are not expected to prevent Israel from intensifying what it describes as operations against its “target bank” in Lebanon, amid concerns that ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations could succeed and lead U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel into accepting a permanent ceasefire.

Against that backdrop, Israel targeted Ahmad Ballout while he was reportedly attending a private meeting in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Israel confirmed Ballout’s killing but did not confirm the death of his deputy. A security official described him as a key Hezbollah figure whose role extended beyond implementing the group’s policies and Iran’s interests.

The official said Ballout held a hard-line ideological stance against Israel and had directed about 1,000 members of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force to southern Lebanon to fight Israeli troops there. More significantly, he was reportedly behind instructions related to launching explosive drones toward the Israeli army.

The strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs came days before a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon is set to take place in Washington. 

Despite internal speculation that the talks could succeed, the Israeli military, in coordination with security agencies, is preparing for all scenarios, including the possibility of a ground maneuver beyond the “yellow line” and additional attacks on Beirut.