Escalating tensions have brought the dynamics of the Middle East to a new level as the Israeli military reported on Friday that airstrikes in Beirut killed Hassan Nasrallah, a former leader of Hezbollah. The Oded operation targeted Hezbollah’s primary operations center in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. The event brought to a close, after three decades, the career of the well-known leader of the Shiite group and, perhaps, foreshadowed specific changes in the complicated relations of Israel-Hezbollah-regional countries.
Israeli Airstrikes in Beirut
The Israeli military targeted an underground ‘bunker’ deep in the heart of Beirut, which they described as very accurate, and attacked Hezbollah’s General Staff. This attack not only came with the demise of Nasrallah but also claimed Ali Karki, the head of the ”Southern Front” of Hezbollah, and several other top-ranking Hezbollah personnel. The Unions Report-Socoto documented that the command orders precisely timed the air strike to demolish Hezbollah’s entire leadership hierarchy, a group that had troubled the region for years.
Even just before the attack, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Mahlatli addressed the public once again, saying the killing of Nasrallah was necessary for the goals of the state of Israel. Netanyahu further elaborated by saying that the current campaign against Hezbollah would be lacking and that it needed to assassinate Nasrallah as it would be the only guarantee for the further weakening of the group.
Hezbollah’s Response and the Impact
Most unfortunately, it is reported that the General Secretary of Hezbollah has passed away and that the Islamic resistance will continue its struggle against the Zionist entity. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, the militia increased the number of aerial strike assets. It strengthened its political base in Lebanon and protected itself as the most formidable non-state actor in the Middle East. The absence of such a central figure leaves the Shiite group without an unequivocal leader, prompting possible disorder in the clasp of command and the uncertainty of the organization’s fierceness.
A close ally of Hezbollah, Iran regretted the airstrike and insisted that Muslims everywhere should support Hezbollah in its battle with Israel. The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, said that it is Hassiba’s task to help the people of Lebanon and the resistance. Such language from Iran increases the tensions in the region where Hezbollah has been vital to Iran’s grip on Lebanon and Syria’s dominance.
Increasing Regional Tension
The death of Nasrallah comes amid growing hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which responded with Rockets at Israel at the beginning of Israel’s attack on Hama in Gaza. As a result of the growing militarization of the situation, thousands of civilians have been displaced from both Israel and Lebanon. In the last week, the UN claims that over 200,000 Lebanese have become displaced.
Considering that military operations may continue and Israel might invade Lebanon, it is clear that the Israel-Hezbollah conflict depends on these factors.
