Tel Aviv: The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Monday that they have "eliminated" senior Hezbollah commander Abu Ali Rida, who was accused of coordinating rocket and anti-tank missile strikes against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Rida, who led Hezbollah’s operations in the Baraachit region, was killed in an airstrike, though the military did not specify when the strike took place.

According to a statement reported by AFP, Rida was "responsible for planning and executing rocket and anti-tank missile attacks on IDF troops" and managed the activities of Hezbollah operatives in the area.

The conflict has intensified following nearly a year of escalating cross-border tensions, with Hezbollah launching rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas, their ally in Gaza. This incident marks a significant escalation in Israel's ongoing and deadliest conflict against Hamas, sparked by an October 7 surprise attack on southern Israel last year.

Since clashes with Hezbollah began in late September, Israeli forces have stepped up their strikes on Hezbollah positions across Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of multiple Hezbollah commanders and key leaders, including its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah.