According to a report by Times of Israel, A prominent member of Hezbollah's air defense unit, Maytham Mustafa al-Attar, was killed in a drone strike in northeastern Lebanon earlier today, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced.
According to the military, al-Attar was considered a "significant source of knowledge" in Hezbollah's air defense unit and was involved in planning and executing attacks against Israel. The IDF stated that al-Attar gained his expertise during visits to Iran and assisted in procuring Iranian weapons for the Lebanese terror group.
Al-Attar was targeted while driving near the town of Shaat in the northeastern Baalbek district, approximately 100 kilometers from the Israeli border. The IDF believes his elimination is "a blow to the capabilities of Hezbollah's air defense unit."
Hezbollah has confirmed al-Attar's death, which brings the terror group's death toll to at least 361 amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The strike on al-Attar is the latest in a series of targeted attacks by Israel against Hezbollah's air defense capabilities in Lebanon. The IDF has consistently targeted Hezbollah's infrastructure in southern Lebanon alongside the ongoing war in Gaza.
Hezbollah has been working to enhance its air defenses, including the use of drones and missiles capable of countering advanced Israeli drones like the "Hermes 450" and "Hermes 900." The group has also acquired systems like the SA-8 and SA-17, which provide short and medium-range air defense capabilities.
By eliminating key figures like al-Attar, Israel aims to disrupt Hezbollah's air defense efforts and maintain its military superiority in the region. The strike is part of a broader strategy to weaken the terror group's capabilities and deter further attacks against Israel.