IDF Kills Three Hezbollah Operatives in Southern Lebanon Amid Rising Regional Tensions

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted drone strikes in southern Lebanon, killing three Hezbollah operatives over two days. Ali Mohammed Qarouni, identified as Hezbollah's local representative in Kafra responsible for economic and military coordination, was killed; he had been seizing private property for Hezbollah’s military use, including renting homes for weapons storage and surveillance. Two additional Hezbollah members, described as engineering operatives working to rebuild the group's military infrastructure in the Mount Dov and Khiam areas, were killed in a separate strike in Kfar Reman. These strikes occur amid ongoing tensions despite a ceasefire since November, with Israel accusing Hezbollah of rearming in southern Lebanon. Concurrently, the U.S. has approved $230 million in aid to strengthen Lebanon’s official security forces, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and enhance state control over arms. Protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, including a significant Yom Kippur demonstration in New York by Jewish community members, reflect wider opposition and calls for an end to violence and U.S. arms shipments to Israel.