A senior Hezbollah commander was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, sparking a significant escalation in hostilities. Hezbollah retaliated by launching 100 rockets at northern Israel.
In response to these developments, U.S. President Biden's special envoy to the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, is set to meet with French officials in Paris to discuss de-escalation efforts on the Israel-Lebanon border. The White House indicated that President Biden will "likely" meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits Washington to address Congress. Additionally, an Israeli soldier was killed in a stabbing attack in northern Israel, adding to the tensions.
The IDF confirmed the assassination of Muhammad Nimah Nasser, the commander of Hezbollah's unit in charge of the Beqaa Valley and the southeastern Syrian border, in a drone strike in Tyre. Following the strike, over 100 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel, causing no casualties but increasing regional tension. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the IDF would be fully prepared for any necessary actions in Lebanon or to negotiate from a position of strength. Overnight, Israeli fighter jets targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
Amos Hochstein will meet with French officials in Paris to discuss de-escalation. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to avoid escalating the conflict with Hezbollah into a full-blown war. An Israeli soldier was killed and another man seriously wounded in a stabbing attack in a shopping mall in Carmiel. The assailant was shot dead at the scene, and several of his family members were arrested.
The Israeli Supreme Planning Council plans to discuss the construction of over 6,000 housing units in West Bank settlements. The IDF reported strikes on a terror cell near the Nur Shams refugee camp, resulting in four Palestinian fatalities. Additional clashes in Jenin led to the death of a key Fatah operative. Israeli forces continued operations in Rafah, southern Gaza, amidst ongoing clashes with Palestinian militants. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza reports significant casualties.
President Biden is expected to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to Washington. Discussions are anticipated to include recent tensions and counterstrike strategies against Iran.
Following evacuation orders, displaced Palestinians from Khan Younis and Rafah have sought safety elsewhere in the Gaza Strip. The conflict was triggered by a major attack from Hamas on October 7, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and significant casualties in Gaza. The war has intensified existing domestic and regional tensions.
By commenting you are accepting our Comment Policy.