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IDF kills Imam Hossein Division commander, deputy, and UAV officer in Lebanon — entire IRGC militia leadership eliminated

·Lebanon

The IDF killed Ali Musallam Tabaja, commander of the Imam Hossein Division, along with his deputy Jihad al-Safira, UAV officer Sager al-Handasa, and other senior commanders in an airstrike in Lebanon last night. The Imam Hossein Division is an IRGC militia operating alongside Hezbollah to attack Israel from Lebanese territory. IDF Chief of Staff Zamir said: "For years, we have been trying to locate and eliminate them. Last night, while they were managing the fire toward Israel, they were eliminated within seconds." Tabaja had been appointed after the previous commander was killed by Israel in October 2024.

The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Thursday March 12 that an airstrike in Lebanon the previous night killed the entire senior leadership of the Imam Hossein Division — an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps militia that operates alongside Hezbollah specifically to attack Israel from Lebanese territory. Killed were: Ali Musallam Tabaja (division commander, appointed after predecessor killed October 2024), Jihad al-Safira (deputy division commander), Sager al-Handasa (division UAV officer), and several other top commanders. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a video statement: "This is an Iranian division of the Revolutionary Guards whose role is to attack Israel from Lebanese territory. For years, we have been trying to locate and eliminate them. Last night, while they were managing the fire toward Israel, they were eliminated within seconds." The strike represents the most significant decapitation of IRGC command infrastructure in Lebanon since the war began. The division was actively directing fire during the Hezbollah 200-rocket barrage when it was eliminated.

Actor responses

IsraelSUPPORTINGCLAIM

IDF CoS Zamir: Killed Imam Hossein Division commander Tabaja, deputy al-Safira, UAV officer al-Handasa and other commanders. IRGC militia directing fire from Lebanon — eliminated while managing attack.

IRGCOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Imam Hossein Division commander Ali Musallam Tabaja killed along with deputy and UAV commander in Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. Division operated alongside Hezbollah attacking Israel from Lebanese territory.

HezbollahOPPOSINGSTATEMENT

IRGC Imam Hossein Division leadership eliminated during joint Hezbollah-IRGC fire management operation. Division had coordinated attacks on Israel from Lebanon.