While speaking with Channel 14, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed that IAF warplanes were behind the airstrike that killed Jawad al-Tawil, deputy head of Hezbollah’s “Radwan” special operations force, in southern Lebanon.

While everyone already knew Israel was likely behind the strike, the claim of responsibility is important as Israel maintains a strict policy of ambiguity in regards to its operations. For example, Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for last week’s strike that killed Saleh al-Arouri, deputy leader of Hamas.

The killing of al-Tawil will prove to be a major point in Israel’s escalating tensions with Hezbollah. Clashes and airstrikes along Lebanon’s southern border have already left 150 Hezbollah fighters dead, the most since the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War. Since Israel began its ground assault into Gaza, there have been fears that Hezbollah would open up a northern front, but so far fighting has largely been limited to the border.