Israeli airstrikes have dealt a devastating blow to Hezbollah, killing multiple senior leaders of the Iran-backed militant group and triggering a surge in violence across Lebanon. The death of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed in a Friday strike on Beirut, has sparked widespread concerns about escalating conflict in the region. The strikes, which continued over the weekend, claimed the lives of dozens of civilians and militants alike, further destabilizing an already fragile Lebanon.
Hezbollah confirmed on Sunday that Nabil Kaouk, deputy head of the group's Central Council, was the latest high-ranking official to be killed by Israeli strikes. His death follows the elimination of several other senior Hezbollah figures, including Ali Karaki, a key military commander, and close aides to Nasrallah. Kaouk is the seventh senior leader to be killed in just over a week, marking a significant loss for the group, which has long been a dominant force in Lebanon's political and military landscape.
As the strikes intensified, Lebanese officials reported heavy casualties. The Lebanese health ministry announced that Israeli airstrikes near Sidon, a southern city, killed at least 32 people, while a separate strike in Baalbek Hermel claimed 21 lives, leaving dozens injured. The strikes have sparked anger and panic as civilians scramble to flee affected areas. Thousands have been displaced, with Lebanon's Environment Minister Nasser Yassin estimating that as many as 250,000 people are now in shelters, while hundreds of thousands more have sought refuge with relatives or are camping in the streets.
The Israeli military described the airstrikes as part of a broader effort to dismantle Hezbollah's command structure, which it says has been severely degraded by the recent attacks. Israel has accused Hezbollah of ramping up its rocket and missile launches from southern Lebanon, increasing from dozens to hundreds of daily attacks over the past week. While most of these attacks have been intercepted by Israel's defense systems, Israeli officials warn that Hezbollah still possesses significant firepower.
Meanwhile, Israel extended its military operations beyond Lebanon, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirming airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The strikes targeted power plants and seaports in Hodeida, following a missile attack by the Houthis on Israel's Ben Gurion airport on Saturday. The Houthis, another Iranian-backed militant group, have vowed to continue their attacks on Israel and shipping routes in the region, signaling a broader escalation in the conflict.
The Biden administration has expressed concern over the escalating violence but has refrained from directly criticizing Israel's actions. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby acknowledged that Israel's airstrikes had "wiped out" much of Hezbollah's leadership. "I think people are safer without him [Nasrallah] walking around," Kirby said in an interview with CNN, but he cautioned that Hezbollah is likely to regroup. "They will try to recover. We're watching to see what they do to fill this leadership vacuum."
Kirby also warned of potential retaliation from Iran, which has remained a staunch supporter of Hezbollah and has vowed to avenge Nasrallah's death. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, declared five days of mourning in response to Nasrallah's killing and promised that the "blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed these sentiments, accusing the United States of complicity in the attack due to its support of Israel.
Despite Hezbollah's heavy losses, U.S. officials remain cautious about underestimating the group's capabilities. "They still have quite a bit of capability left," Kirby said, noting that Hezbollah's arsenal of rockets, missiles, and drones remains a significant threat. The U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the region, with President Joe Biden directing the Pentagon to enhance the defense posture of U.S. forces in the Middle East. "We have to make sure that we are ready, and we believe we do," Kirby added, emphasizing the need to deter further aggression from Iran or Hezbollah.
The conflict has already had severe humanitarian consequences for Lebanon, a country still recovering from a series of economic and political crises. In less than two weeks, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 1,000 people, including 156 women and 87 children, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Entire neighborhoods in Beirut and other cities have been reduced to rubble, and the government is struggling to provide relief to the displaced.
As the international community calls for a cease-fire, the prospect of a resolution seems elusive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations until Hezbollah's ability to launch attacks is completely neutralized. Hezbollah, for its part, has stated that it will not cease its rocket fire unless a truce is reached in Gaza, where fighting between Israel and Hamas has raged for months.
