The Israeli army confirmed on Saturday that it had killed a member of the Hezbollah, Nazih Abed Ali, in a strike in the area of Bazuriyeh in southern Lebanon.

Abed Ali was described by the Israeli army as “a significant terrorist on the Hezbollah Southern Front” who was actively involved in “planning and carrying out various terror activities.” The military stated that his death “represents a significant blow” to the capabilities of Hezbollah’s operations in the region.

Hezbollah confirmed Abed Ali’s death, but did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Ali’s killing comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following Hezbollah’s vow to seek revenge for the assassination of its top military commander, Fuad Shukr, by Israel on Wednesday. The death of Abed Ali is seen as a critical development in the ongoing conflict, further escalating the already strained relations between the two sides.