Hezbollah Militants Killed in Israeli Airstrikes

In a significant escalation of hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the deaths of at least seven Hezbollah operatives on Friday, following a barrage of approximately 100 rockets fired by the militant group into northern Israel. The Times of Israel highlighted that among those killed were two key members of Hezbollah's Rocket and Missile Unit, underscoring the targeted nature of the IDF's response. Notably, Muhammad Mahmoud Negm, identified as a "significant" operative, was eliminated by the Israeli Air Force in Aaita El Zot, southern Lebanon. Another operative, Saeed Mahmoud Daeb, was also killed in a strike near Tyre. The IDF confirmed that four additional operatives were neutralized in separate operations across southern Lebanon, including a strike on a Hezbollah cell preparing to launch rockets from Tayr Harfa. The Upper Galilee region bore the brunt of the rocket attacks, with Hezbollah reportedly firing around 40 projectiles across the border. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts led by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar are underway to broker a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, aiming to prevent a broader conflict involving Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah. Despite ongoing negotiations, Israeli defense officials remain skeptical about the potential for a lasting peace, citing unresolved security concerns in Gaza. The situation remains tense, with both sides entrenched in their positions as the threat of further violence looms.