Israel’s military killed a senior Hezbollah commander in an airstrike after targeting his vehicle in south Lebanon, potentially adding to already simmering tensions.

The head of the militant group’s Aziz unit, a regional division in the southern sector, was hit while traveling in the Hosh area in Tyre, Al-Jadeed television said Wednesday. Hezbollah confirmed one of its commanders, Mohammed Naameh Nasser, was killed by Israel.

Israel has killed hundreds of members of the Iran-backed militia, including other senior figures, since the two sides began near-daily cross-border fire in October. The simmering conflict has raised fears of an all-out war that could draw in Tehran and other regional powers, and countries including the U.S. are working to prevent an escalation.

“We are hitting Hezbollah very hard every day and we will be fully prepared to carry out any action required in Lebanon or reach an agreement — from a position of strength,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. “We prefer the latter, but if reality forces us, we will know how to fight.”

Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, whose attack on Israel on Oct. 7 triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel has responded with strikes in Lebanon. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are considered terrorist organizations by the U.S.

A month ago, Hezbollah escalated its attacks against Israel after the killing of a senior military commander, Taleb Abdullah. The Associated Press said Nasser is the most senior official from Hezbollah to have been killed since Abdullah.

Hezbollah has repeatedly told mediators it would only halt its attacks once a cease-fire in Gaza takes effect. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been trying to broker such a deal between Israel and Hamas for months without effect.

Israel wants Hezbollah fighters to retreat at least 10 kilometers from the border, a move that could allow the government to bring back thousands who were evacuated from the northern front at the start of the conflict in Gaza.

On the Lebanese side of the border, thousands have fled and Israeli strikes have leveled neighborhoods in border villages. Lebanon is still reeling under an economic and financial meltdown that started nearly four years ago and a war on its soil could spell more devastation.

The group has said that — while it doesn’t want a war with Israel — it is ready for one.

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(With assistance from Galit Altstein and Alisa Odenheimer.)

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