Sunday’s Israeli bombings in Lebanon claimed many lives as the Hezbollah organization suffered a series of fatal blows to its leadership, including the assassination of its supreme commander, Hassan Nasrallah.
Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of the terrorist group’s Central Council, was reported to have been murdered by Israel on Saturday, according to Hezbollah. He is now the seventh top commander to be killed in Israeli strikes in just over a week. Among them are founding members who had spent decades avoiding imprisonment or execution.
Nasrallah was slain on Friday, and Hezbollah had earlier revealed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, had perished in the same operation. According to Israel, the attack claimed the lives of at least 20 more Hezbollah militants, including two of Nasrallah’s close friends, one of whom was in charge of his protection.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Israeli drones and airplanes struck multiple locations in Lebanon, killing many people. At least 32 people were killed in two separate hits that occurred close to Sidon, which is located around 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Beirut, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Separately, at least 47 people were injured and 21 people died as a result of Israeli strikes in the northern province of Baalbek Hermel.
Although it could not immediately disclose details, the Israeli military claimed to have carried out another targeted strike on Beirut.
throughout addition to attacks against Beirut, the Lebanese media reported many strikes throughout the south, central, eastern, and western Bekaa. Buildings inhabited by residents were the target of the strikes, and more deaths were predicted.
In a video of a Sidon strike that went viral, verified by The Associated Press, a building swayed before collapsing as neighbors filmed. On one TV station, the broadcaster called on viewers to pray for a family caught under the rubble, posting their pictures, as rescuers failed to reach them. The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 14 medics were killed over two days in the south.
Israel’s airstrikes on Lebanon have significantly increased Hezbollah’s attacks, with the military stating that most of the rockets and drones were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems or fell in open areas. The army claims that its strikes have degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities, and the number of launches would be much higher if Hezbollah had not been hit.
The Israeli military also reported that dozens of aircraft struck Houthi targets in Yemen in response to a recent attack on Israel. The Houthis launched a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on Saturday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving. The strikes hit the Hodeida and Rass Issa ports, along with two power plants in Hodeida city, a stronghold for the Iranian-backed rebels. Four people were killed and 33 wounded.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon had “wiped out” Hezbollah’s command structure, but warned the group will work quickly to rebuild it. The White House continues to call on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day temporary cease-fire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed former rival Gideon Saar to his Cabinet, expanding Netanyahu’s governing coalition and helping entrench the Israeli leader in office. Saar would be given a spot in the Security Cabinet, the body that oversees management of the ongoing war.
Airstrikes have driven thousands from homes in Lebanon, with around 250,000 estimated to be in shelters. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group and political party backed by Iran, rose to regional prominence after fighting a devastating monthlong war with Israel in 2006. The conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration.
(AP)
