Hezbollah declared on Wednesday its intent to escalate attacks along the Lebanon-Israel border in response to Israel’s killing of its senior military commander, Taleb Sami Abdullah.
At a funeral ceremony in southern Beirut, senior Hezbollah official Hachem Saffieddine vowed to intensify operations in terms of severity, strength, quantity, and quality. He emphasized that Hezbollah’s retaliation would be robust, urging Israel to expect increased confrontations.
Earlier that day, Hezbollah launched a significant barrage of rockets into northern Israel, heightening tensions amid ongoing discussions about a Gaza cease-fire plan. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas and backed by Iran, has been engaged in frequent exchanges of fire with Israel since October, linking its cessation of hostilities to a Gaza truce and stoking concerns of broader regional conflict.
Hezbollah Threatens Escalation Against Israel After Commander’s Killing.
Abdullah, aged 55, was killed in an Israeli airstrike late Tuesday near the Lebanon-Israel border. His coffin was mourned by hundreds of Hezbollah supporters and officials before being taken for burial in his hometown of Aadschit. Saffieddine noted Abdullah’s pivotal role in Hezbollah’s military operations, including the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, underscoring his significance within the organization.
Israeli military sources stated that the airstrike targeted a Hezbollah command center responsible for coordinating attacks against Israel. They described Abdullah as a key commander in southern Lebanon, overseeing operations near the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. Hezbollah officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed Abdullah’s involvement in past conflicts against Israeli forces and his recent command responsibilities.
The conflict has exacted a toll on both sides, with Israeli airstrikes reportedly claiming over 400 lives in Lebanon, predominantly Hezbollah fighters, and resulting in civilian casualties. On the Israeli side, casualties include soldiers and civilians since the beginning of hostilities. Abdullah’s death has galvanized support within Hezbollah, with his sister Zeinab expressing pride in his martyrdom and invoking a call for continued resistance against Israel.
