In a bold escalation of conflict, Israel announced on Sunday the killing of Nabil Qaouq, a senior Hezbollah official, in a targeted airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon.
This strike follows the assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, marking a significant blow to the Iran-backed militant group. Qaouq, a member of Hezbollah’s central council, was eliminated as Israeli forces continued their airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon.
Israeli military officials reported that dozens of additional Hezbollah targets were hit over the weekend, further decimating the group’s command structure. Among the prominent figures killed in recent months are Nasrallah’s top deputy Fuad Shukr and Ibrahim Aqil, head of the elite Radwan Force.
This wave of Israeli airstrikes has plunged Lebanon into deeper turmoil, with over 700 people reported dead in a week of intense violence. While Hezbollah retaliated with low-intensity cross-border strikes, Israel’s focus has now shifted to its northern front, engaging Hezbollah following the group’s support of Hamas in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Nasrallah’s assassination as a decisive victory, while Hezbollah supporters mourned their leader. The situation continues to escalate, raising fears of further conflict in the already volatile region.
