Israel Braces for Retaliation After Hezbollah Commander Killing

Fear of a retaliatory strike has prompted Israeli authorities to cancel public gatherings across multiple northern towns and settlements, following the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The military’s Northern Command assessed that Hezbollah would likely attempt to fire toward border communities in revenge for the killing, according to the Israeli newspaper Maariv.

On Wednesday, the Israeli military announced it had carried out a strike on Beirut’s southern suburb, killing Ali Ahmed Ghaleb Balout, whom it described as the commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the targeted figure had “led the plan to invade the north.”

Widespread Cancellations Across Northern Towns

In response to the perceived threat, the Northern Command decided to revoke all special exemptions from home-front protection guidelines across frontline settlements. The military asked local council heads to cancel weekend public events, fearing Hezbollah could launch attacks within the near term, specifically during the weekend.

The municipality of Nahariya announced the cancellation of its “Night Market” event scheduled for Thursday evening, as well as a ceremony marking Victory Day over Nazi Germany. A statement from the council read: “Following the assessment of the situation and in light of the attack carried out last night in Beirut, we have been informed by the Northern Command that instructions to the public remain unchanged, but all exemptions granted for holding public events in the city have been canceled.”

Residents of Kfar Vradim received a message warning of event cancellations, including the traditional “Lag BaOmer” bonfire. The notice stated: “With great regret towards our children, we are forced to cancel the Lag BaOmer fire. Activities held inside buildings will continue as usual.”

The Merom HaGalil council advised residents of frontline settlements to “strictly adhere to Home Front Command instructions and avoid unnecessary large gatherings,” noting no change to other civilian guidelines at this stage. The Agmon HaHula farmers’ market scheduled for Thursday was also called off, with organizers citing the security assessment and a request from security forces to avoid large crowds.

Ma’alot Tarshiha council warned residents that while public instructions remain unchanged, all exemptions for mass events had been revoked. The council canceled a central event in the Rabin neighborhood and a Lag BaOmer torch-lighting on Olive Street. The council added: “We emphasize that we have not received an update regarding expectations of fire toward the city, but we ask that you continue to exercise vigilance, follow only official instructions, and avoid spreading rumors. If a siren sounds, immediately enter a protected space and remain there until an official announcement to exit.”

Hezbollah Announces Multiple Military Operations

Hezbollah, for its part, announced it had carried out a series of operations against the Israeli military on Thursday. The group said the actions were taken “in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the Israeli enemy’s violation of the ceasefire and attacks on villages in southern Lebanon that resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and a number of wounded.”

The operations, as detailed by Hezbollah, included:

• At 08:45, targeting an Israeli military D9 bulldozer at Khallat al-Raj in the town of Deir Siriane with a dive-bombing drone, achieving a confirmed hit.
• At 10:15, striking a Merkava tank in the town of Al-Bayyada with a bomb dropped by a drone, achieving a direct hit.
• At 10:18, targeting a command center belonging to the Israeli military in Al-Bayyada with a dive-bombing drone, achieving a confirmed hit.
• At 14:00, shelling a concentration of Israeli military vehicles in the town of Shama with a rocket salvo.
• At 14:45, striking a Merkava tank in the town of Bint Jbeil with a dive-bombing drone, achieving a confirmed hit. At 14:50, when military vehicles intervened to tow the tank, fighters targeted them with artillery shells.
• At 14:45, destroying a newly installed Iron Dome platform near the Jall al-Alam site with a dive-bombing drone.
• Between 15:00 and 17:00, shelling concentrations of Israeli troops at Khallat al-Raj toward the river in Deir Siriane with artillery.
• At 15:30, targeting a concentration of Israeli soldiers at Khallat al-Raj in Deir Siriane with a dive-bombing drone.
• At 16:30, striking a concentration of Israeli soldiers at the Alaman-Al Qusayr triangle with two dive-bombing drones.