The Israeli military has said 200 fighters from the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia have been killed since the ceasefire began in Lebanon three weeks ago.
"In recent weeks, more than 220 terrorists and commanders from the terrorist organization Hezbollah, who posed a threat to Israeli soldiers and civilians, have been eliminated," the Israeli army said in a statement on Thursday.
Upon enquiry, it was clarified that this refers to the period since the ceasefire was announced three weeks ago. Last week alone, 85 Hezbollah fighters were reportedly killed.
The Shiite militia itself has not commented on its losses.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that on Wednesday evening, the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit was killed in a targeted Israeli strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Commander Malek Balut is said to have played a leading role in planning an incursion into northern Israel. The allegation cannot be independently verified.
Netanyahu also said that Israel had killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters over the past month.
Under the current ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army is permitted to defend itself against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks, but is required to refrain from "offensive" operations against targets in Lebanon.
