The IDF announced that it eliminated Ahmad Ghaleb Balout, a commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan special forces, in a strike on Beirut yesterday. According to The Jerusalem Post, Balout was responsible for directing dozens of attacks against IDF troops during the war and was in Beirut working to rebuild the terror group’s capabilities, including its “Conquer the Galilee” invasion plan. Meanwhile, the United States is awaiting Iran’s response today regarding a proposed peace deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the successful strike “in the heart of Beirut” on Thursday afternoon. “This is the same senior terrorist who led the plan to conquer the North,” Netanyahu said. “He thought he could continue to direct attacks against our forces and our communities from his secret terrorist headquarters in Beirut.”
“No terrorist has immunity,” Netanyahu said. “Anyone who threatens the State of Israel will pay the price.”
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday night said they had ordered the IDF to try to assassinate Balout.
This attack was the first in Lebanon’s capital in weeks, following the ceasefires with Iran on April 7 and with Hezbollah on April 17.
The IDF also reported today that a Hezbollah weapons production site in the Nabatieh area was struck. An additional 20 terror sites were targeted the previous night. Since the ceasefire agreement, more than 220 Hezbollah operatives and senior officials have been eliminated in southern Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that Iran has one week to respond to the proposed peace deal after pausing Operation Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz. Although the agreement includes provisions for Iran to give up its uranium stockpile, the issue remains a major obstacle. However, Pakistani mediators have said they are cautiously optimistic.
The Fellowship and our supporters pray for the IDF troops who have kept the vulnerable communities of northern Israel safe while the rest of the Holy Land experiences a period of calm. We also pray for continued progress in the peace talks.
