Israel's Targeted Assassinations in Gaza and Lebanon: A Year of Escalating Conflict
In a dramatic escalation of violence, Israel has intensified its military operations in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, conducting a series of targeted assassinations against prominent leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas. This wave of aggression has raised tensions in the region, with both groups vowing retaliation for the killings of their key commanders.
Assassinations of Hezbollah Leaders
Several high-ranking members of Hezbollah have fallen victim to Israeli airstrikes, notably in Beirut's southern suburbs. Among the casualties is Ibrahim Qubaisi, a commander of Hezbollah's missile system, who was killed on September 24. Another significant figure, Ibrahim Aqil, an operations commander and member of Hezbollah's highest military body, was targeted and killed in an airstrike on September 20. Aqil had previously been implicated in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut.
The strikes also claimed the life of Ahmed Wahbi, who oversaw military operations for Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, and Fouad Shukr, the group's top military commander, both killed in July. These assassinations have prompted Hezbollah to respond with rocket attacks against Israel, escalating the conflict further.
Hamas Leadership Targeted
In a shocking development, Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas's political bureau, was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, 2024, during what Hamas described as a
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