IDF Reports Dozens of Hezbollah Operatives Killed in Targeted Southern Lebanon Ground Operations

Israeli forces report killing dozens of Hezbollah gunmen in recent days through coordinated artillery, tank fire, and drone strikes in southern Lebanon.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 8:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Emanuel Fabian (IDF Military Correspondent).

High-Intensity Engagements in Southern Lebanon

As the IDF expands its ground operations in southern Lebanon, the military has reported a significant increase in direct engagements with Hezbollah cells. According to military correspondent Emanuel Fabian, the "Galilee" Regional Division and specialized infantry units have killed dozens of operatives in a single sector of the southern front. These operations are part of a broader strategy to clear the border region of entrenched militant infrastructure that has been used to launch anti-tank missiles and mortar fire into northern Israel.

The Givati Brigade’s Precision Strikes

One of the most notable engagements involved the Givati Brigade, which utilized a "sensor-to-shooter" cycle to rapidly eliminate threats. Upon spotting two separate Hezbollah cells moving through the rugged terrain, the troops directed heavy artillery shelling against the positions. The IDF confirmed that at least six operatives were killed in the strike, which was completed "within minutes" of the initial identification. This level of coordination underscores the military's current focus on high-speed tactical responses to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping.

Combat Intelligence and Drone Coordination

The 869th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit played a pivotal role in identifying and neutralizing specific threats. After two Hezbollah gunmen opened fire on Israeli forces, intelligence teams tracked their movements and directed a combined response of tank shelling and a precision drone strike. Both gunmen were confirmed killed. The use of the 869th Unit highlights the integration of real-time battlefield surveillance with immediate kinetic force, a hallmark of the current IDF campaign in Lebanon.