Live updates: IDF strikes in Beirut reportedly target top Hezbollah commander

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, September 13th, ordered that the safe return of northern Israel's residents to their homes be added to the war's objectives. During the next week, dozens of Hezbollah operatives were killed and thousands were maimed when their communication devices exploded. Israel did not claim responsibility for the explosions, but foreign media reported that the Mossad was behind them.

The following Friday, IAF jets guided by the Intelligence Directorate, targeted and eliminated Ibrahim Aqil, head of operations and commander of the Radwan Force of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, during a meeting with Radwan Force commanders in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut. In addition to Aqil, 15 other Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated in the strike, including senior commanders in the Radwan Force chain of command.

Hezbollah responded on Saturday night by expanding their range of fire and increasing rocket and UAV launches, targeting the lower Galilee, Haifa Bay, and Jezreel Valley areas. At the same time, the IDF increased its strikes on Hezbollah targets, striking buildings used to store long-range missiles. On Monday, IDF Chief of Staff Major General Herzi Halevi announced that the name of the operation in the northern arena is "Northern Arrows." READ MORE