Hezbollah refuted an Israeli assertion that it had killed half of the group’s commanders in southern Lebanon, including Hassan Nasrallah. However, the Lebanese group claimed only a few members were killed.
Hezbollah and the Israeli army have engaged in frequent skirmishes since a significant Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, stated on Wednesday that “half of Hezbollah’s commanders in southern Lebanon have been eliminated.” He added that the others were evading the Israeli army.
A Hezbollah source anonymously dismissed Gallant’s statement as false, aimed at boosting the morale of Israel’s military.
While Israel often claims to have killed local Hezbollah commanders, the group seldom confirms such high-level losses.
Since the conflict intensified on October 8, following the Hamas attack, at least 380 people have died in Lebanon, including 252 from Hezbollah and several civilians, per an AFP count.
Israel reported 11 military and eight civilian casualties.
Both sides have intensified attacks recently, with Hezbollah increasing rocket strikes and Israel conducting raids in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military targeted 40 Hezbollah positions in Lebanon on Wednesday.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, claimed the group has around 100,000 trained and armed fighters.
