A Hezbollah military leader was killed Wednesday in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, escalating the ongoing conflict between the two sides. The Lebanese Shiite movement, allied with Palestinian Hamas, confirmed the death of Commander Mohammed Neemeh Nasser, also known as Hajj Abou Neemeh, amid fears of further escalation.
This marks the third senior military leader killed in southern Lebanon since the violence between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8. In response, Hezbollah fired '100' rockets at Israeli positions, continuing the daily exchanges of fire on the border in support of Hamas in its war against the Israeli army in Gaza.
According to sources close to Hezbollah, Mohammed Nasser was in charge of one of the three sectors in southern Lebanon and was killed in a strike targeting a vehicle in Tyre. The Lebanese Agency ANI reported that an enemy drone targeted a car on the al-Hauch road, resulting in two casualties.
Previous strikes have also claimed the lives of senior Hezbollah leaders, including Taleb Sami Abdallah in June and Wissam Tawil in January. The ongoing violence has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. More than 494 people have died in Lebanon, including around 95 civilians and a majority of Hezbollah fighters, while at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in Israel.
The conflict has displaced tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border. International efforts to prevent further escalation have been ongoing, with American Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French President Emmanuel Macron urging for diplomatic solutions.
Hezbollah continues to target Israeli sites, with recent attacks on seven Israeli targets in the Galilee and occupied Kfar Shuba hills. In retaliation, Israeli forces launched raids on several towns in southern Lebanon. The situation remains tense, with Israeli officials calling for large-scale military operations against Hezbollah.
The intensification of exchanges and the rhetoric from both sides have raised fears of an all-out war. Tehran has warned that all members of the 'axis of resistance' could mobilize if Israel launches a large-scale offensive against Hezbollah. Despite a slight decrease in fighting intensity over the past week, the potential for a broader conflict looms large.
- Hezbollah's recent attacks targeted buildings used by Israeli soldiers in the settlements of Granot Hagalil, Kfar Giladi, Metulla, Doviv, and Ramot Naftali. They also bombed the Ma'yan Baruch and Sammaqa sites.
- In retaliation, Israeli fighters and drones launched seven raids on the towns of Aitaroun, Aita al-Shaab, Kafr Kila, Markaba, Blida, and the vicinity of the town of Joya. Israeli artillery also bombed several border towns in southern Lebanon.
- Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen has called for a large-scale military operation against Hezbollah, stating that red lines have been crossed in the north. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed this sentiment, advocating for a defensive war to transfer the buffer zone from Israeli territory to southern Lebanon.
- The escalation has raised concerns about a comprehensive war, especially with the Israeli army approving operational plans for a large-scale attack on Lebanon. Lebanese and Palestinian factions, particularly Hezbollah, have been engaging in daily cross-border bombings with the Israeli army since October 8, demanding an end to the war on Gaza.
