SouthernWorldwide.com – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the successful elimination of a senior Hezbollah commander, Ali Musa Daqduq, who is alleged to have been behind the 2007 kidnapping and murder of five American soldiers.
The IDF confirmed that Daqduq was killed on Friday in a precise strike conducted in southern Lebanon, south of the Litani River.
In a statement shared on X, the IDF declared, “ELIMINATED: Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander who held a series of 5 senior positions within Hezbollah.” The statement further elaborated that Daqduq “played a central role in advancing terrorist attacks and combat operations against Israel and IDF soldiers. In 2007, he orchestrated the kidnapping and murder of 5 American soldiers.”
Israeli officials identified Daqduq as a veteran operative within the terror organization, holding multiple high-ranking positions.
The IDF emphasized that Daqduq’s elimination represents a “significant blow to Hezbollah’s senior chain of command.” They described him as “one of the most prominent operatives responsible for terrorist activity against Israeli civilians, IDF soldiers, and American servicemembers.”
The military added, “The IDF will continue to operate against commanders of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
Daqduq’s extensive roles within Hezbollah included serving as the commander of the security unit for the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He also held command positions in the Radwan Force, the Operations Department of the Nasser Unit, and headed Hezbollah’s Infantry Unit. Furthermore, he was the commander of Hezbollah’s “Golan Terrorist Network.”
According to the IDF, the Golan network was instrumental in Hezbollah’s entrenchment in Syria and the establishment of military infrastructure in close proximity to Israel’s border. The activities of this unit were reportedly exposed by Israel in 2019.
The IDF stated, “In recent years, he played a central role in advancing terrorist attacks and combat operations against the State of Israel and IDF soldiers.”
Daqduq was also reportedly responsible for much of Hezbollah’s operational planning against Israeli troops positioned along the Lebanon border over the past several years.
Daqduq had previously been captured by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2007. However, he was transferred to Iraqi custody in 2011 during the U.S. withdrawal, under the administration of former President Barack Obama. Iraqi courts subsequently dismissed the charges against him, leading to his release by Baghdad in 2012.
The IDF reiterated that his elimination signifies a “significant blow to Hezbollah’s senior chain of command by eliminating one of the most prominent operatives responsible for terrorist activity against Israeli civilians, IDF soldiers, and American servicemembers.”
This announcement follows recent Israeli strikes in the Dahieh district of Beirut on Sunday, which the IDF described as targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement, asserting that the Beirut strikes were a direct response to Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israeli territory.
“Israel will not tolerate fire into its territory,” the statement read.
These recent escalations occur at a critical diplomatic juncture, as U.S.-backed efforts are underway to finalize a broader regional agreement involving Iran and former President Donald Trump. Reports indicate a tense exchange between Trump and Netanyahu regarding the ongoing situation.
Trump reportedly questioned Netanyahu’s actions, asking, “What the f–k are you doing?” He expressed hope that a deal with Iran would be signed imminently and indicated he would lift the blockade on Iranian ports once the agreement is finalized.
Trump also stated his intention to ask Iran not to respond with missiles toward Israel.
A diplomat commented on the situation, suggesting that “The strikes today in Beirut are creating issues with finalizing the deal.” The diplomat further alleged, “This is a clear attempt by Israel to sabotage the president’s deal and drag the United States back into war.”
However, an Israeli official rejected this assertion, stating, “We reject the notion that Israel is to blame for the exchange of fire.” The official countered, “Hezbollah attacks have targeted Israeli civilians the past three days.”
