Beirut, Lebanon: Late on Tuesday, an Israeli air strike targeted a senior Hezbollah commander in the southern suburbs of Beirut. This action, described by the Israeli military as retaliation for a recent cross-border rocket attack, has further escalated tensions in the region. “A loud blast was heard and a plume of smoke could be seen rising above the southern suburbs – a stronghold of the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah – at around 7:40 p.m. (1640 GMT),” a Reuters witness reported.
A senior Lebanese security source confirmed the targeted strike on a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, though his status remains uncertain. Lebanon’s state-run national news agency reported that the air strike focused on the area surrounding Hezbollah’s Shura Council in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of the capital.
Mounting Tensions Following Rocket Attack
Beirut has been bracing itself for an Israeli response following a rocket strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, which tragically killed 12 children and teenagers playing football in a Druze village. Despite Hezbollah’s denial of involvement in the attack, Israel remains resolute in its response. In an official statement, the Israeli military announced, “it had conducted a targeted strike in Beirut on the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians’.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the conflict intensified with additional rocket fire from southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of a civilian in a kibbutz in northern Israel. Israeli medics confirmed the fatality. Shortly before the explosion in southern Beirut, the Israeli military reported that 15 projectiles had been launched across the Lebanese border, impacting areas in the Upper Galilee region. No injuries were reported from these incidents. Israel responded by striking a Hezbollah observation post and “terror infrastructure” in southern Lebanon.
Diplomatic Concerns and Potential for Escalation
As the international community seeks to de-escalate the situation, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concerns but stated he did not believe a full-scale conflict between Hezbollah and Israel was inevitable. However, the potential for escalation remains a significant concern. Since the Gaza war erupted in October, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire in solidarity with the Palestinians, with both sides indicating they do not desire a broader confrontation.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military reported that 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon, with one hitting Kibbutz Hagoshrim, resulting in a fatality. Israel responded by striking approximately 10 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight, killing one Hezbollah fighter. Hezbollah confirmed the loss of one of its fighters.
The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have placed the region on edge, with recent escalations threatening further conflict. As both sides continue to trade fire, the international community remains vigilant, urging for measures to prevent a full-scale war.
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