Israel Eliminates Hezbollah Officer Rebuilding Terror Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon

Latest Developments

• Hezbollah Terrorist Eliminated: The IDF announced on October 31 that it had eliminated Hezbollah terrorist Muhammad Raslan, a maintenance operative in the group who was actively rebuilding terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The strike was carried out by Israeli Air Force assets operating under the IDF’s Northern Command in the area around the town of Khiam. Separately, at least two Israeli drone strikes were reported near Nabatieh later the same day.
• Undeterred Hezbollah Rearming: According to new intelligence reports, Hezbollah is reconstituting its arms, including rockets, anti-tank missiles, and artillery capabilities, in violation of November 2024’s ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed terrorist group. Some of the weapons are reportedly arriving in the country by sea and through weakened but functional routes through Syria. Despite the Lebanese government’s public pledges to disarm the group, there has been little progress in areas where Hezbollah is deeply entrenched, including Beirut’s southern district of Dahiyeh as well as the Bekaa Valley. Israel is reportedly losing patience with the lack of progress and is weighing a dramatic increase in military action in Lebanon to combat Hezbollah’s rearmament.
• Aoun Demands Increased Pressure on Israel: Meeting with German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul on October 31, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun implored the European Union, the United States, and the broader international community to “pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement announced” in November 2024. He claimed that the “Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duty south of the Litani [river]” and that “Lebanon is ready for negotiations to end the Israeli occupation, but any negotiation cannot be one-sided.” Aoun’s comments came one day after he instructed the Lebanese Armed Forces to “confront” IDF troops when they cross the border into Lebanon to carry out operations, an order Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem praised on October 31 as a “responsible position.”