Israel-Gaza War
Israel Claims Beirut Strike Killed Hezbollah’s Top Military Commander
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israel announced on Tuesday that it had conducted a targeted strike in Beirut, killing a senior Hezbollah military commander. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim the operation was in direct response to a recent rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, which resulted in the deaths of 12 children.
The strike, which took place in the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeted Fuad Shukr, a high-ranking Hezbollah official. Shukr, also known as al-Hajj Mohsin, has long been on the U.S. list of specially designated global terrorists for his alleged involvement in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 American service members. Israeli officials have accused Shukr of orchestrating the deadly rocket attack on a soccer field in Majdal Shams, a town in the Golan Heights, over the weekend.
"Hezbollah crossed a red line," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, following the strike. Gallant emphasized that the targeted operation was necessary to prevent further attacks on Israeli civilians.
Witnesses in Beirut reported a significant explosion in the southern area of the capital, and footage from the scene showed a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency confirmed that the strike, carried out by a drone that launched three rockets, resulted in the death of one woman and injured several others, some seriously. Bahman Hospital, located near the blast site, has called for blood donations to aid the wounded.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in the Golan Heights attack and condemned the Israeli strike. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah labeled the operation an "assassination attempt" and stated that an official response would be issued once all facts were reviewed. "The assassination attempt has failed," Nasrallah wrote on social media, indicating that Shukr's status remains unclear.
The situation has sparked fears of a broader conflict in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah would "pay a heavy price" for its actions, and Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz suggested that the IDF is "nearing the moment in which we face an all-out war."
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking from Atlanta, reiterated America's support for Israel's right to defend itself against terrorist organizations like Hezbollah. "It has the right to defend itself against a terrorist organization, which is exactly what Hezbollah is," Harris said. However, she also emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to end the ongoing attacks.
The recent violence follows a series of deadly incidents in the region. Just days before the Golan Heights rocket attack, an Israeli strike on a school in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza-based militant group Hamas, which began in October, has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless civilians.
As tensions continue to rise, there are growing fears that the conflict could expand beyond the current borders, potentially drawing in other regional actors. The IDF has been on high alert, and military officials have warned of the possibility of further strikes if Hezbollah continues its aggressive actions.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for potential escalations. The international community is closely monitoring developments, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to exercise restraint and seek peaceful resolutions to avoid a full-scale war that could have devastating consequences for the entire region.
