In a recent interview with Israeli media outlet Ynetnews, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi confirmed that out of 13 senior Hezbollah leaders targeted by the Israeli military, 11 have been killed. Currently, only two remain unaccounted for: Hashem Safieddine, the successor to former leader Hassan Nasrallah, and intelligence chief Ali Hussein Hazima.
Halevi remarked that Hezbollah is obscuring the details of their casualties and fabricating claims of Israeli losses, indicating the militant group’s precarious situation. He stated that, as Hezbollah faces increasing pressure, the Israeli military will “increase that pressure to protect our forces while also targeting their intelligence operatives.”
In an interview on a U.S. Arabic program, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari disclosed a list of Hezbollah leaders who have been killed since the onset of hostilities. This list includes figures such as Hassan Nasrallah, missile and rocket unit leader Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi, southern front commander Ali Karaki, and Radwan unit commander Ibrahim Aqil. Other high-ranking casualties include Fuad Shukr, a top military commander, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk of the preventive security unit, along with several officials involved in arms transport and air defense.
According to Reuters, two security sources indicated that the city hall in Nabatiyeh, the capital of southern Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh Governorate, was struck by Israeli airstrikes on the 16th, resulting in at least six deaths, including the mayor, Ahmed Kahil.
Both Hezbollah and Hamas, backed by Iran, are currently engaged in conflict with Israel. Despite increasing concerns from the U.S. regarding the rising death toll and fears of an all-out war in the Middle East, Israel conducted airstrikes in Nabatiyeh on the 16th.
On the 15th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the idea of a ceasefire in Lebanon, asserting that such a move, in light of Hezbollah’s threats to escalate attacks, would bring the militant group closer to Israel’s northern border.
Netanyahu made these remarks as the U.S. intensified its pressure on Israel regarding its military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, criticizing the recent bombings in Beirut and calling for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
