Israeli Strike Kills Hezbollah Commander Abbas Karky in Lebanon

In a significant escalation in southern Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah commander Abbas Hassan Karky on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed. Karky, the logistics commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front headquarters, was targeted in the Nabatieh area, southern Lebanon.

The Israeli strike comes amid ongoing tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since November 27, 2024. According to the IDF, Karky had led efforts to rebuild Hezbollah’s combat infrastructure, restore destroyed facilities, and manage the storage and transfer of weapons in southern Lebanon. The military described him as a key figure in Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, making him a high-value target.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Karky was killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle on a road in Nabatieh. A Lebanese security source confirmed Karky’s position within Hezbollah but offered no additional details. According to local media, Karky was related to Ali Karaki, former chief of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, who was assassinated alongside long-time Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last year.

The assassination of Abbas Hassan Karky follows a series of Israeli strikes across Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites, including weapons caches and training camps. Lebanese authorities reported four fatalities in these attacks, including an elderly woman. On Wednesday, Israel also announced the killing of a platoon commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, citing involvement in weapons transfers and planning future attacks.

While the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has largely prevented large-scale clashes, the IDF’s targeted strikes continue, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah along the Lebanese border. The latest killing of Karky underscores the fragile security situation in southern Lebanon and the persistent tension between Israel and Hezbollah.

The death of Abbas Hassan Karky is expected to impact Hezbollah’s operations in the south, as he played a central role in restoring the organization’s military infrastructure and preparing it for potential future conflicts. Regional analysts warn that such targeted strikes could provoke further retaliatory actions, keeping southern Lebanon on high alert.