BEIRUT,— An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday killed a senior Hezbollah commander Muhammed Nimah Nasser, in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions as the militant group retaliated with rocket fire into Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, identifying Nasser as the leader responsible for attacks launched from southwestern Lebanon.
Nasser’s death, which occurred near the city of Tyre, marks a significant loss for Hezbollah, according to two Lebanese security sources.
His elimination is seen as a major development in the ongoing conflict that has been fueled by the recent Gaza war.
Concerns over a broader and potentially devastating confrontation between these heavily armed adversaries have led to intensified U.S. diplomatic efforts aimed at calming the situation.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, stated that Israeli forces have been exerting substantial pressure on Hezbollah, striking the group “very hard every day.”
Gallant emphasized Israel’s readiness to take necessary actions but expressed a preference for reaching a negotiated settlement to avoid further escalation.
Hezbollah’s engagement in the conflict began following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, signaling its solidarity with the Palestinians and declaring that its ceasefire would coincide with the cessation of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
In response to Nasser’s assassination, Hezbollah launched multiple attacks, including the firing of 100 Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military base and Iranian-made Falaq missiles at another base in Kiryat Shmona, near the Israel-Lebanon border.
Israeli media reported a barrage of rockets hitting northern Israel, with no immediate casualties reported. The IDF confirmed that many rockets fell in open areas, some were intercepted, and a few landed in Kiryat Shmona. Despite the lack of injuries, the rocket fire caused several fires, prompting firefighting efforts.
In retaliation, Israeli fighter jets targeted and destroyed the Hezbollah launchers responsible for the attacks. The Lebanese sources indicated that Nasser oversaw key Hezbollah operations along the frontier, with another Hezbollah fighter and a civilian also reported killed in the airstrike.
Nasser held a rank and significance comparable to Taleb Abdallah, another high-ranking Hezbollah commander who was killed by an Israeli strike in June, leading to Hezbollah’s largest drone and rocket retaliation to date. The IDF described both Nasser and Abdallah as “two of the most significant Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon.”
Senior Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah acknowledged that Nasser was aware of being a target yet remained on the battlefield for nine months. He vowed that Hezbollah would deliver a “punitive response” to Israel, asserting that the group’s reach remains formidable.
The ongoing hostilities have exacted a severe toll on both sides, displacing tens of thousands of people.
According to Reuters, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of over 300 Hezbollah fighters and 87 civilians. Conversely, Israel reports that rocket and missile fire from Lebanon has killed 18 soldiers and 10 civilians.
On October 7, 2023, militants from Hamas, a Palestinian Islamic group recognized as a terrorist organization by the international community, launched an attack on southern Israeli communities and military bases.
This assault, characterized by tactics reminiscent of Islamic State ISIS, led to the tragic deaths of over 1,200 Israelis. According to the Israeli military, Hamas is currently holding 253 hostages in Gaza.
(With files from Reuters)
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