* Senior Hezbollah commander Mohammed Hussein Surour killed in Israeli airstrike
Beirut, Lebanon: Israel has escalated its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, dismissing calls for a ceasefire amid mounting international pressure. This week has marked the deadliest period since the Lebanese Civil War, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Mohammed Hussein Surour in a precision airstrike in Beirut. The IDF announced on X, “ELIMINATED: Commander of Hezbollah’s Aerial Command, Muhammad Hussein Surour, in a precise IAF strike in Beirut.”
The airstrike is part of an ongoing conflict that has intensified in recent weeks. Israeli warplanes have conducted extensive bombardments across Lebanon, particularly targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, with strikes that have echoed throughout the capital. The IDF claims to have targeted 75 Hezbollah locations, signaling a “new phase” in its military operations. So far, these attacks have resulted in over 600 casualties and displaced nearly 90,000 civilians.
In response to the escalating violence, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom have called for a 21-day temporary ceasefire between the warring parties. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered continued military operations, rejecting the ceasefire proposal amid U.S. diplomatic efforts.
The situation has raised concerns about the potential for the conflict to spread, particularly given the targeted assassinations of senior Hezbollah commanders. Additionally, the Israeli military recently conducted exercises simulating a ground invasion near the Lebanese border, with military officials hinting at the possibility of further incursions into Lebanon.
The international community watches closely as tensions continue to rise in the region.