The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict has taken a dramatic turn with Israel claiming to have targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a ‘precise strike’. This move has significantly raised the stakes in the ongoing conflict, which has already seen violence and tensions simmering for decades.
The Israeli military, in a statement early Saturday, announced the elimination of Hezbollah’s missile unit commander, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail. The IDF also claimed that other Hezbollah commanders and operatives were killed in the operation. While the fate of Nasrallah remains unclear, an Israeli official stated that it is ‘too early’ to speak about it, adding that if he is alive, the news would be immediate, but if not, it may take some time to confirm.
The US is closely monitoring the situation, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirming that he was on a call with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, when the operation was underway. President Biden is also receiving updates on the developments in the Middle East.
The IDF has urged civilians in Beirut’s Dahiya neighbourhood, which houses Hezbollah’s headquarters, to evacuate areas being used by the group. The IDF also claimed that Hezbollah possesses ‘150,000 rockets’ targeting Israeli civilians, but asserted that they have ‘no conflict’ with the Lebanese people.
Iran, Hezbollah’s main sponsor, has reacted strongly to the strikes. Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has called an emergency meeting at his residence. The Iranian embassy in Beirut labeled the strike a ‘reprehensible crime’ and a ‘reckless behavior’, warning that this ‘dangerous escalation’ has changed ‘the rules of the game’.
The United Nations, through its top official in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed concern over the escalating situation, noting that the city is ‘still shaking with fear’.
The events surrounding this strike mark a significant turning point in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, with global attention now focused on the potential ramifications for the region. The international community is closely watching to see how the situation unfolds and what actions will be taken in response.
