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Yesterday, Israel struck several targets in Lebanon, in continuation of pressure on Hezbollah after it dealt it a severe blow with the assassination of its Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, while it began preparing for a ground attack, in light of moving brigades towards the north, to complete the attack on Hezbollah’s capabilities. It also launched intensive raids on Yemen, targeting sites in Hodeidah, at a time when the United States directed the American army to strengthen its presence in the Middle East with air support capabilities and maintain a state of alert.
Israeli aircraft bombed the southern suburb of Beirut and other areas in Lebanon, causing deaths, including 7 paramedics.
The Israeli army said in a statement yesterday that the air force struck dozens of Hezbollah sites, including missile launching pads and weapons storage facilities, in addition to the party’s infrastructure. The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced an attack launched by Israeli aircraft on the Ain al-Delb area, which claimed the lives of 34 people, as a preliminary result.
Meanwhile, Reuters yesterday quoted two sources confirming that the body of Hezbollah Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, had been recovered from the site of the Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. A medical source and another security source confirmed that the body was healthy and showed no signs of injury, which suggested that he died of suffocation.
Israeli Channel 12 quoted a military intelligence source as saying that Nasrallah died of suffocation. He explained that he was in a place without ventilation, and that gases entered the room he was in as a result of the bombing, and he suffocated to death.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army said that it killed the senior leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, Nabil Qaouq, and indicated that it was able to kill 20 Hezbollah leaders during Friday’s attack, including Ali Ayoub, who is responsible for coordinating the party’s firepower. Samir Tawfiq Deeb, advisor to the party’s Secretary-General. CNN reported yesterday that a high-ranking official in the US administration and another American official confirmed that Israel has not yet apparently taken a final decision regarding carrying out the ground incursion, but the assessment was based on the mobilization of Israeli forces and the evacuation of areas, while It may be preparation for a ground operation.
Border movements
In turn, ABC News quoted American officials as saying that small-scale operations or “border movements” into Lebanon to directly target Hezbollah positions on the border have begun or are about to begin.
The network’s sources also said that Israel does not appear to have made a complete decision yet regarding launching a ground operation, but it is ready for it.
The sources added that if a ground operation occurs, its scope will likely be limited, stressing that Israel aims through the attack to return tens of thousands of displaced settlers from northern Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Nasrallah’s assassination as a necessary step towards “changing the balance of power in the region for years to come.” He pointed out that the coming days will involve challenges.
American military deployment
This coincides with Washington examining options to enhance its military deployment in the Middle East after Tel Aviv asked it to send additional forces in preparation for a possible Iranian response.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Israel would not be able to safely return the settlers to the north by waging an all-out war with Hezbollah. Kirby added to CNN that the United States continues to hold talks with Israel about the next correct steps in Lebanon. For its part, the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) said yesterday that Secretary Lloyd Austin directed the army to strengthen its presence in the Middle East with “defensive” air support capabilities, and to place other forces on high alert. The office of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the minister went to Lebanon yesterday, at a time when Israel continues to bomb several targets in the country.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “We confirm that the minister went to Lebanon to hold talks with the local authorities and provide French support, especially at the humanitarian level.”
Raids on Yemen
In Yemen, Israel struck the city of Hodeidah with a number of raids, and the Israeli Broadcasting Authority indicated that dozens of aircraft participated in the attack, which targeted Hodeidah International Airport and the port.
Eyewitnesses said that the raids targeted the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Issa, the Al-Hali and Ras Kutheb electricity stations, and that an oil tank burned in the port due to the raids.
The Israeli army said in a statement, “Dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling planes, and spy planes, participated in the strikes.” The statement added that the strikes came “in response to the recent Houthi attacks with ballistic missiles on Israel, including three attacks this month.”
In turn, Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying that the raids were coordinated with US Central Command.
