IDF Airstrike Kills Senior Hezbollah Leaders Planning Invasion of Northern Israel

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) airstrikes killed several senior Hezbollah leaders who were reportedly plotting a large-scale invasion of northern Israel, similar to the deadly attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, officials revealed.

The Hezbollah commanders, part of the group’s elite Radwan Force, were meeting to discuss plans for a ground invasion into Israel’s Galilee region, according to a source from the militant group who spoke with the Al-Monitor Middle East news outlet. The elite force is known for its specialised operations, and this meeting allegedly focused on strategies for breaching Israel’s northern borders.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed these reports during an interview with Sky News on Sunday morning. He described the airstrike as a pre-emptive measure against an impending attack similar to the horrifying assault carried out by Hamas on October 7. That incident involved widespread violence, including the killing of civilians, kidnappings, and other brutal acts.

The members of Hezbollah who were killed in the airstrike were allegedly making plans for an Oct. 7-like attack on Israel. REUTERS

“All of these leaders came together to launch the same horrific, horrendous attack that we had on Oct. 7 by Hamas, by burning Israelis, by butchering them, raping their women, abducting and taking hostage people and babies,” Herzog said. He further condemned the influence of Iran, which he described as the mastermind behind these attacks, referring to the country as the “Empire of Evil.”

Herzog emphasised that Hezbollah’s planned invasion was a continuation of Iran’s long-term strategy to destabilise Israel and its allies in the region. “This is the same plan they have been planning for years under the plans of the Empire of Evil of Iran,” he said, pointing to the significant role that Tehran plays in backing both Hezbollah and Hamas.

Many high-ranking Hezbollah leaders have been eliminated. IDF

The airstrike comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a Shia militant group based in Lebanon, which has increasingly become involved in the broader conflict that erupted after Hamas’s initial October 7 attack. Since then, Hezbollah has carried out multiple rocket and missile strikes against northern Israeli towns and military positions, leading to several IDF retaliations.

The Israeli government has repeatedly warned that Hezbollah poses a significant threat to its northern borders. With advanced weapons and the backing of Iran, Hezbollah has the capacity to launch large-scale attacks that could further inflame the already volatile situation.

This latest development also underscores Israel’s continued vigilance in monitoring Hezbollah activities and foiling potential plots. The IDF has been conducting regular surveillance and strikes aimed at Hezbollah positions in Lebanon as part of an effort to prevent a second front in the ongoing conflict.

While Hezbollah has not officially confirmed the deaths of its leaders in the airstrike, the group’s media outlets have reported ongoing “martyrdom” operations, a term it often uses to describe members killed in combat.

The October 7 attacks by Hamas marked one of the deadliest assaults on Israel in decades, with over 1,400 Israelis killed and hundreds more taken hostage. The event has since triggered a massive military response from Israel, with ongoing airstrikes on Gaza and heightened security measures along its borders with Lebanon and Syria.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the risk of a broader regional war looms large, with Iran’s involvement through its proxy militias, such as Hezbollah, being a key concern for Israel and its allies. The death of these senior Hezbollah leaders could temporarily halt the group’s plans but also risks further escalation.

In the meantime, Israeli officials have pledged to remain on high alert and continue their operations to neutralise threats. “We will not allow Iran or its terror proxies to carry out another Oct. 7 on our soil,” President Herzog vowed. “Our defence forces are prepared for any scenario, and we will respond with the full force necessary to protect our people.”

The IDF has not disclosed specific details about the airstrike that targeted the Hezbollah leaders, but military officials have reiterated their commitment to pre-emptive action when necessary.