Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddin (pictured) attends the funeral of slain supreme commander Fouad Shukr in a southern Beirut suburb on 1 August 2024. Photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP
On Wednesday, Hezbollah militants attacked Israeli forces with artillery and rockets near the village of Labbuneh on the border with Lebanon. This happened a day after Israel announced the elimination of two possible successors to the assassinated Hezbollah leader. This was reported by The Time of Israel.
Early Wednesday morning, sirens sounded in northern Israel, warning of danger, the Israeli army said. Over the past two days, three Israeli soldiers have been seriously injured in fighting in southern Lebanon.
In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that as a result of the air strikes, Israel had eliminated two potential heirs to the Hezbollah leader, including Hashem Safieddin, who was considered a likely successor to Hassan Nasrallah. According to Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Safieddin could have been in Hezbollah’s headquarters, which was destroyed during the air strike.
After rocket attacks that killed at least 50 militants, including six commanders, Hezbollah announced its readiness to negotiate a ceasefire. However, Israel continues to strike the group’s positions in southern Lebanon.
The escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed forces in the region comes amid a general escalation following Hamas’ attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip a year ago. In addition, Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah and Hamas, has already warned Israel of possible consequences if attacks on Iranian infrastructure continue.
US President Joe Biden is to discuss with Netanyahu possible measures in response to Iran’s aggression and Israel’s reaction.
