(JNS) The Israeli airstrike on a Hezbollah target in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood on Tuesday, April 1 disrupted a terrorist operation that could have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israeli civilians, Hebrew media reported on Wednesday.

The target of the operation was identified as Hassan Ali Mahmoud Bdeir, a high-ranking Hezbollah figure who, according to Israeli intelligence, was collaborating with Hamas and Iran’s Quds Force.

Bdeir is suspected of playing a pivotal role in coordinating a joint Hamas-Hezbollah effort to launch a significant attack outside of Israel.

The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), through its division that monitors international Hamas networks, had been closely tracking the activities of the group for several months, according to Ynet. Intelligence suggested preparations were underway for a mass-casualty attack targeting Israeli or Jewish interests overseas.

Bdeir functioned as a critical coordinator, overseeing financial transfers, logistics and recruitment operations for the alleged plot, according to the report. His removal, Israeli defense officials stated, was essential to preventing an attack with potentially catastrophic consequences—drawing comparisons to the scale of violence seen during the Second Intifada or the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023.

The airstrike marked the second such operation in the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs—considered a Hezbollah stronghold—in under a week. Israeli authorities have increased their efforts to dismantle terrorist infrastructure operating beyond their borders, especially those with ties to Iran.

Following the strike, Hezbollah acknowledged Bdeir’s death and issued a statement condemning the action, calling it a serious provocation and warning of a forthcoming response.