Lebanon’s military and the militant group Jama’a Islamiya confirmed that a senior commander was killed in an Israeli drone strike south of Beirut on April 22, 2025. The strike, which occurred in the Al-Jamous district, targeted a vehicle carrying the commander, identified as Mohammad Abdel Aziz, a key figure in the Sunni Islamist group aligned with Hezbollah.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that one person was killed and three others injured, with the drone firing two missiles that set the vehicle ablaze. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it was a precise operation to eliminate a “terrorist threat” responsible for planning attacks against Israel.
The attack is part of Israel’s ongoing operations against Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Lebanon since a November 2024 ceasefire ended two months of intense conflict. Jama’a Islamiya, while smaller than Hezbollah, has been involved in cross-border skirmishes, including rocket attacks on northern Israel in support of Hamas since October 2023.
The strike has heightened tensions in Lebanon, with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemning it as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) called for restraint to prevent escalation. Local residents expressed anger over the civilian injuries, while Hezbollah vowed to retaliate, raising fears of renewed violence. The incident underscores the fragile security situation in Lebanon, where economic woes and political instability exacerbate the impact of such strikes.