Gallant says half of Hezbollah commanders killed, rest hiding

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that half of the commanders of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have been killed and the rest were in hiding.

Speaking during a visit to the north Gallant said the primary objective was the safe return of residents of the Lebanon border area, to their homes after they evacuated at the start of the war.

Hezbollah has intensified its hostilities against Israel by launching drones, missiles, and rockets from the southern Lebanon border area since October 2023. This escalation has led to significant retaliatory actions by the Israeli military.

A United Nations resolution theoretically prohibits Hezbollah from maintaining militants and weapons in the border zone. However, this mandate is not being adhered to and has historically been ignored. The resolution stipulates that the Iran-backed Shiite militia should be positioned at least 30 kilometers from the border, a guideline that has been consistently violated.

The continuous attacks have forced Israel to evacuate approximately 80,000 residents from the northern regions of the country. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted local industries and agriculture, bringing economic activities in the affected areas to a halt for the past seven months.

The international community faces significant challenges in enforcing the UN resolution and curbing Hezbollah's military presence near the border. The situation remains tense and volatile, with potential implications for wider regional stability.