Israel Kills Commander of Hezbollah Missile Squads

Latest Developments

A senior officer in Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile unit was killed in an Israeli air strike on March 31. Ismail Al-Zin, a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, was hit in his car near Kounine in southern Lebanon, just a few miles from the Israeli border. Publishing a video of the strike, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said he had been central to the development of Hezbollah’s anti-tank doctrines. The IDF added that he had been involved in multiple attacks employing the tactic since October 8, when the Lebanese terrorist group opened a front with Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.

Expert Analysis

“When it comes to Hezbollah’s fighting doctrine, ‘anti-tank missile’ is a misnomer. Finding themselves thwarted by the IDF, these terrorists have been using guided missiles like Kornets against front-line Israeli homes just over the border from Lebanon. The result has been an abandonment of once-thriving communities and farmlands within four miles of Lebanese territory, roughly the effective range of such weapons. Israel has no choice but to destroy these weapons and their operators if it wants to get its people back in their homes.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“While we should not delude ourselves into believing Hezbollah’s capabilities have been significantly degraded, Israel is not hesitating to act against high-value targets of opportunities.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

“As long as Hassan Nasrallah continues to involve Hezbollah in the war, Israel remains determined to make sure that the group pays a high price for its actions. With the elimination of resources, front-line fighters, and skilled Radwan commanders at IDF hands, Hezbollah will undoubtedly encounter some difficulty replacing the losses it incurs.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal