BEIRUT: Israel said on Sunday that it has killed Nabil Qaouq, a senior member of Hezbollah’s central council, in an airstrike on southern Beirut after dealing the Lebanese group a blow by assassinating its chief, Hassan Nasrallah on Friday.
Israel said that its air force has continued to hit “dozens” more areas across Lebanon.
At least six people were killed in a strike on a house in the northeastern Hermel region, the agency reported, while an emergency response group affiliated with Hezbollah ally Amal movement said five of its rescuers were killed in the south.
The Israeli military said that its air force has targeted “dozens of Hezbollah targets,” conducting hundreds of strikes over the weekend. The recent airstrikes have killed over 700 people in Lebanon, according to local health officials.
Israel announced on Sunday that Qaouq was “struck and eliminated” in a strike on south Beirut on Saturday. Hezbollah has yet to officially announce Qaouq’s death but a source close to the group said he had been killed.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported a string of raids in and around the city of Baalbek in the east.
Hezbollah confirmed the killing of Nasrallah on Friday, leading to widespread shock among his supporters. “I can’t describe my shock at this announcement… we all started crying,” said Maha Karit, a resident of Beirut.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the strikes as a means of “settling the score” with Hezbollah, asserting that the world is “a safer place” without Nasrallah. US President Joe Biden also expressed support, calling the assassination a “measure of justice for his many victims.”
The assassination of Nasrallah, who was seen as the face of Hezbollah and enjoyed significant support, has left the group under immense pressure to respond. Analysts predict that Hezbollah’s reaction will be crucial in determining its future, with some suggesting that it faces either an unprecedented retaliation or total defeat.
Since the beginning of October, Hezbollah has engaged in low-intensity cross-border strikes against Israeli troops, while Israel has shifted its focus toward combating Hezbollah on its northern front. The military response has included multiple raids in regions such as Baalbek and Hermel.
READ ALSO: Israel Army Claims Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah ‘Killed’ in Beirut Attack
Iran has condemned the assassination of Nasrallah, warning of severe repercussions for Israel, while regional allies including Hamas have labeled the act a “cowardly terrorist act.” Public mourning has been declared across Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has deteriorated sharply. Reports indicate that over 200,000 people are currently displaced within the country, with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati saying that the number could be as high as one million. The World Food Programme has initiated emergency operations to provide meals and support to those affected.
The UN refugee chief, Filippo Grandi, emphasized the urgent need for international diplomacy to prevent further escalation and alleviate the suffering of civilians.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continue to kill Palestinians. Since October 7, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing at least 41,595 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to figures provided by the territory’s health ministry. The UN has described the figures as reliable.
