The Israeli military said it killed Abu Hassan Alaa, a senior commander in Hezbollah’s “Badder Unit,” in a strike in the Deir ez-Zahrani area of southern Lebanon on Saturday.

Axar.az reports, citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), that Alaa was involved in planning attacks against Israeli troops operating in the security zone, including drone attacks targeting soldiers in southern Lebanon.

The military said he had also commanded several Hezbollah combat sectors involved in operations against Israeli forces and civilians.

The IDF said the strike was carried out in response to a Hezbollah attack against Israeli troops operating in the security zone.

“The IDF will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, and will continue to operate to remove threats,” the military said.

The IDF added that Alaa’s killing would significantly undermine Hezbollah’s ability to manage the Badder Unit. It also noted the recent killing of Ali Samir Al-Haj Hassan, a battalion commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.