On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Israel Defense Forces conducted a series of precise airstrikes against targets linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon and along the Syrian border
The objective was to disrupt arms smuggling and weaken the Iranian-backed terrorist group’s ability to rearm, amidst continued violations of ceasefire agreements between Israel and Lebanon.
Among the most notable actions, the Israeli Air Force struck four border crossings in the Hermel region of northern Lebanon, along the border with Syria.
These routes were used by Hezbollah to transport prohibited weapons and equipment, allowing the group to attempt to rebuild its military arsenal despite the restrictions imposed by the ceasefire.
The strikes aimed to block these routes and impede the flow of supplies that threaten Israel’s security.
On the same day, in a separate operation in the Sidon area of “”southern Lebanon, the IDF eliminated Muhammad Awasha, described as one of Hezbollah’s main arms smugglers and traffickers.
Awasha was a key figure in the group’s supply network: he coordinated the transfer of weapons through a front company that imported prohibited goods from countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Gulf nations.
Furthermore, he oversaw several smugglers who transported weapons from Iraq to Syria and ultimately to Lebanon.
His elimination represents a significant blow to Hezbollah’s rearmament logistics.
The IDF also bombed the group’s infrastructure facilities in several regions of southern Lebanon, including weapons depots and an underground arms cache built in the middle of densely populated civilian neighborhoods.
This practice of hiding weapons in residential areas is a recurring tactic of Hezbollah, turning local residents into unwitting human shields.
“”OPERATIONAL UPDATE:
? Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 21, 2026
“On the Syria-Lebanon Border, 4 border crossings used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons in the area of Hermel were struck.
? In the area of Sidon, the IDF struck and eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Awasha, a key Hezbollah weapons smuggler.
Awasha played? pic.twitter.com/R5FhhCKWXL
– On the Syria-Lebanon Border, 4 border crossings used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons in the area of Hermel were struck.
– In the area of Sidon, the IDF struck and eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Awasha, a key Hezbollah weapons smuggler.
Awasha played a central role in advancing weapons smuggling to Hezbollah, using a front company that ordered and transferred prohibited goods from countries such as Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf states, while operating smuggling networks moving weapons from Iraq into Syria and Lebanon.
The IDF continues to monitor Hezbollah’s efforts to build up its military capabilities and will act against any violation of the understandings between Israel & Lebanon.
In an official statement, the Israeli army stated that these Hezbollah activities at border crossings and depots violate ceasefire agreements and represent a direct threat to the State of Israel.
The Defense Forces reinforced that they will continue operating decisively to eliminate any risk to the country’s security, without tolerating rearmament attempts by the terrorist group.
These operations occur in a context of persistent tensions on Israel’s northern border, where Hezbollah seeks to regain strength after the previous conflict, even under constant surveillance by the IDF.
Published in 01/23/2026 00h21
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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