IDF strikes Hezbollah command center after attack seriously wounds three soldiers in s. Lebanon

The IDF struck a Hezbollah headquarters in Ansar, southern Lebanon, after an explosive drone attack seriously wounded three Israeli soldiers near the Ali al-Taher Ridge. The IDF stated the strike targeted Ali Samir Al-Hassan, a Hezbollah Radwan Force battalion commander, who was a "lawful target under international law." The military and Prime Minister's Office (PMO) later confirmed that civilians, including Hassan's family, were unintentionally killed in the strike, asserting they were unaware of their presence and that Hezbollah used them as human shields. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported at least 11 fatalities. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the Israeli strikes as violations of the US-backed ceasefire, with Salam stating, "Israel must halt this escalation." Hezbollah vowed that Israeli attacks would be "met accordingly," accusing Israel of escalating the war for political gain. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called Hezbollah "pure evil" for using civilians as human shields.