The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday the killing of a Hezbollah commander, Khader Shahabiya, in an airstrike. The IDF alleges Shahabiya was responsible for a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in July, which tragically claimed the lives of 12 children playing football on a field. The attack, which also injured dozens, targeted the predominantly Druze village of Majdal Shams.
Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a harsh response, blaming Hezbollah directly. He visited Majdal Shams, stating that the organization would pay a “hefty price.”
In retaliation for the killing of Shahabiya, Hezbollah has launched a series of attacks near the Lebanese border. Meanwhile, Israel has conducted heavy airstrikes in Lebanon, including a devastating strike on a building in Beirut’s Bachoura district, which killed nine people according to the Lebanese health ministry. A Hezbollah-linked civil defense group reported the death of seven of its staff, including two medics, in the Beirut attack.
Tensions have escalated further with Israel’s assault on a municipality building in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which killed 15 Hezbollah members and destroyed weapons caches. As Israel pushes deeper into Lebanon, it is considering further actions against Iran, its longtime enemy.
Iran has launched its largest attack ever against Israel, claiming it was retaliation for Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Tehran has stated that its attack is over, barring further provocation, but Israel has vowed to retaliate. The United States has warned Iran that it will face “severe consequences” and will work with Israel, while urging Iran to refrain from targeting American forces in the region.
Amidst the escalating conflict, several countries have begun evacuating their citizens from Beirut as global governments urge their citizens to leave the country.
