Who is Fadi, after whom Hezbollah’s missile hit Israel yesterday?
Last night, Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles targeting the Ramat David airbase in the occupation state of Israel, including missiles named “Fadi 1” and “Fadi 2.” These missiles, used in response to repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanese territories, have raised a significant question among many: Who is Fadi, the person after whom these missiles were named?
Fadi Hassan Tawil, born on May 10, 1969, in West Beirut, was a dedicated member of the Islamic Resistance. He joined Hezbollah in 1982, at the height of Lebanon’s struggle against Israeli occupation. Fadi participated in numerous military operations, ranging from reconnaissance missions to ambushes deep within Israeli-occupied territory. His efforts contributed significantly to Hezbollah’s resistance campaign during the 1980s.
On May 30, 1987, during the “Badr Al-Kubra” operations against Israeli military outposts and the South Lebanon Army (SLA), Fadi Tawil was killed alongside fellow resistance fighters. His body remained on the battlefield for eight days before being recovered for a proper burial.
Fadi’s legacy continued within his family. His brother, Wissam Tawil, a prominent Hezbollah commander, was also killed during the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” battle, when Hezbollah was supporting Palestinian resistance in Gaza.
Hezbollah’s Fadi Missiles
Hezbollah’s ‘Fadi’ missile, in its two announced models, is a replica of the Syrian Khyber missile, specifically the M220 and M302 models. These missiles were featured in a video released by Hezbollah showing the fortified Imad 4 facility some time ago.
The missile is a reproduction of the Chinese “WS-2” missile, and Hezbollah had previously launched a version of it during the 2006 Lebanon War, with that version being the Khyber 1 missile.
This weapon includes various ranges, spanning between 90 and 200 kilometers, and is equipped with explosive warheads weighing tens of kilograms, with some reaching up to 145 kilograms, causing significant destruction. However, it is among the missiles not equipped with a GPS guidance system.
In a prior report, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that Hezbollah possesses different types of Katyusha rockets with ranges between 4 and 40 kilometers, as well as ‘Fajr 3’ and ‘Fajr 5’ missiles, with ranges of 43 to 75 kilometers, and ‘Raad’ missiles, which have ranges between 60 and 70 kilometers.
