TEL AVIV, November 3. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has conducted an intelligence-based strike to eliminate senior Hezbollah air commander Ali Barakat, the army press service said.

Barakat was "a significant source of knowledge for the unit, spending over a decade planning and carrying out UAV attacks on Israel. He was also involved in developing cruise missiles and UAVs for Hezbollah," the IDF said.

"The IDF will continue to operate against Hezbollah’s Aerial Unit, eliminating its operatives and dismantling its terrorist infrastructure," the press service concluded.

On September 23, Israel launched an offensive operation, dubbed Northern Arrows, targeting the Lebanon-based Shiite party Hezbollah’s military facilities, carrying out massive air strikes across Lebanon. Overnight on October 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a ground operation in borderline regions in Lebanon’s south.