Israel strikes southern Lebanon, kills senior Hezbollah commander

In mid-August 2026, Israel launched a series of air and artillery strikes on southern Lebanon, killing a senior Hezbollah commander identified as Abu Hassan Alaa. The Israeli military said the strike was in response to recent attacks that wounded three of its soldiers. Hezbollah militants were reported to be trapped underground in Lebanon, and Israel warned of further attacks if hostilities continued.

The strikes have worsened Lebanon's economic crisis, as farmland in the south has been devastated and fresh waves of displacement have been reported. The United States is preparing new sanctions on Iran, which backs Hezbollah, adding to regional tensions.