In a significant escalation of conflict, Israel has confirmed the killing of Nabil Qaouq, a senior official within the Hezbollah organization, in an air strike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
This strike follows the recent assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, marking a devastating blow to the Iran-backed group.
Reports indicate that Qaouq was a member of Hezbollah’s central council and was killed during a strike on Saturday.
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While Hezbollah has yet to officially announce Qaouq’s death, a source close to the group has confirmed the news. The Israeli military stated that its air force has been relentless, targeting “dozens” of sites associated with Hezbollah across Lebanon, with hundreds of strikes conducted over the weekend.
The intensified Israeli airstrikes have decimated Hezbollah’s leadership, following the killing of other high-ranking members, including Nasrallah’s trusted aide, Fuad Shukr, and Ibrahim Aqil, head of the elite Radwan Force.
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This wave of violence has plunged Lebanon into a state of fear, raising concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region.
The recent hostilities were ignited after Hamas, Hezbollah’s Palestinian ally, launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, leading to retaliatory military actions from Israel.
Israeli Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut
Following the death of Nasrallah, a figure regarded as a symbol of resistance among his supporters, a palpable sense of grief has emerged within Hezbollah ranks, as noted by local resident Maha Karit. “We all started crying,” she told AFP in Beirut after the announcement of Nasrallah’s death.
Lebanon, already grappling with political and economic turmoil, faces a precarious situation as the bombardments have reportedly killed over 700 people within just a week. The ongoing strikes have led to significant displacement, with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati warning that up to one million people may have been forced from their homes, potentially resulting in the largest displacement movement in the country’s history.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched an emergency operation to support up to one million people affected by the escalating violence. WFP regional director Corinne Fleischer emphasized, “Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war.”
In response to the attacks, Hezbollah has engaged in low-intensity retaliatory strikes against Israeli forces, including the firing of rockets towards Israeli positions in the Golan Heights. However, analysts suggest that the group may now be under pressure to demonstrate a more robust response following the loss of its leader.
International reactions have been swift. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the killing of Nasrallah has “settled the score,” while U.S. President Joe Biden referred to it as “a measure of justice for his many victims.” Conversely, Iran condemned the assassination, vowing that it would not go unanswered, and regional allies have declared public mourning for Nasrallah.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation of violence that has spiraled into a humanitarian crisis, further complicating the ongoing conflict in Gaza and beyond.
