Israel assassinates a member of Al-Ridwan Force in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army announced yesterday, Saturday, July 19th, the assassination of a member of Al-Ridwan Force affiliated with Hezbollah in an airstrike targeting the town of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon.

The army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, confirmed in a post on the "X" platform that the eliminated member was involved in attempts to rebuild the party's infrastructure in the region.

This announcement comes amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes on several Lebanese areas, especially in the south, despite the ceasefire agreement that began to be implemented in November 2024 after a conflict lasting over a year between Israel and Hezbollah.

It is worth mentioning that the open confrontations between the two parties escalated again since last September.

In a statement issued by the army, Israel emphasized that it will not back down from its efforts to remove any threat from Hezbollah and will not allow it to rebuild its military capabilities after the losses it suffered during the previous war, amidst threats to continue the strikes unless the Lebanese authorities disarm the Iran-backed party.

The ceasefire agreement stipulates the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the area south of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel, and the dismantling of its military facilities there, while enhancing the deployment of the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The agreement also included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from some areas they advanced into during the war, despite Israel's remaining in five strategic heights that Lebanon demands to be withdrawn.

This recent escalation highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing tension in the region, amid fears of a resurgence of major confrontations.