Israel announced on Sunday the killing of Nabil Qaouq, a senior member of Hezbollah’s central council, in an airstrike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
This targeted operation follows the recent assassination of the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, marking a severe blow to the Iran-backed organization.
Israeli Defense Forces reported that their air force conducted extensive operations across Lebanon, striking “dozens of Hezbollah terror targets.”
The military’s intensified campaign aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s command structure, which has been severely weakened after the deaths of key figures, including Nasrallah’s right-hand man, Fuad Shukr, and elite Radwan Force commander Ibrahim Aqil.
The airstrikes come in the wake of Hezbollah’s response to increased tensions following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched low-intensity cross-border strikes against Israeli positions, prompting a shift in Israel’s strategic focus towards confronting its northern neighbor.
The escalation has plunged Lebanon, already grappling with a dire political and economic crisis, into further chaos, with over 700 casualties reported in just one week, according to health ministry figures. Eyewitness accounts reveal the deep sorrow among locals following Nasrallah’s assassination, with one resident stating, “We all started crying.”
Despite Hezbollah not officially confirming Qaouq’s death, a source close to the group indicated that he was indeed killed. As the conflict continues to unfold, fear looms over Lebanon and the broader region, raising concerns of additional violence in the approaching days.
For continuous updates on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and its implications, stay tuned to our news coverage.
