**Hezbollah Confirms Death of Top Commander in Israeli Attack**
Hezbollah, the armed militia in Lebanon, has officially acknowledged the death of one of its key military leaders in a strike carried out by Israel in Beirut. The body of the top commander, Fuad Shukr, has been retrieved from the debris.
Earlier, Hezbollah had dismissed Israel’s assertion regarding the killing of Fuad Shukr, who was referred to as a close aide to their leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) held Shukr responsible for an incident in which 12 children and teenagers lost their lives in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. However, Hezbollah denied any involvement in the attack.
In a long-awaited statement, Hezbollah disclosed that Shukr was present in a residential building in the southern suburbs of Beirut during the Israeli assault. The group stated that several citizens were killed, while others sustained injuries.
The Lebanese health ministry reported casualties from the attack, including the deaths of two children and two women, with 74 individuals wounded in Beirut.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, commended the IDF for executing the strike in Beirut and labeled Shukr as “one of the most sought-after terrorists globally.”
Netanyahu, who curtailed his visit to the US following the Golan Heights incident, emphasized the significance of Shukr’s role in connecting Iran with Hezbollah. He asserted Israel’s readiness to face any threats and warned of severe repercussions for those opposing the nation.
The demise of Fuad Shukr marks a significant loss for Hezbollah and is a notable event in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iran-supported militant group in Lebanon. The conflict between the two factions continues to escalate, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Escalation of Conflict between Hamas and Hezbollah
On 8 October, clashes erupted between Hamas and Hezbollah, following an incident where Hamas, the extremist group governing Gaza and with close affiliations to Hezbollah, attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages.
Assassination of Hamas Leader
Adding to the escalating tensions, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was reportedly assassinated in Tehran, Iran. This violent act has sparked concerns of a potential full-scale war in the region, with threats of retaliation against Israel being issued.
While the responsibility for the assassination is widely attributed to Israel, the government led by Mr. Netanyahu has neither confirmed nor denied their involvement, maintaining a stance of silence on the matter.
Loss of a Key Diplomatic Figure
Haniyeh played a crucial role in Hamas’ foreign relations during the conflicts with Israel in Gaza. His presence was significant during the indirect negotiations aimed at achieving a truce in the region, where the ongoing warfare has resulted in a staggering death toll, with over 39,400 casualties reported within the span of nearly ten months.
