In a significant escalation of tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israeli airstrikes have successfully killed two successors to Hezbollah's slain leader. This announcement comes as Israel ramps up its ground offensive against the Iran-backed group, deploying a fourth army division to southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu made the claims in a video released by his office, shortly after Hezbollah's deputy leader suggested a potential negotiated ceasefire. \"We've degraded Hezbollah's capabilities. We took out thousands of terrorists, including (Hassan) Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah's replacement, and the replacement of the replacement,\" Netanyahu stated, refraining from naming the latter two.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant further indicated that Hashem Safieddine, the expected successor to Nasrallah, has likely been \"eliminated.\" The exact identity of the \"replacement of the replacement\" remains unclear. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari added that Safieddine was targeted during a recent airstrike on Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, and his status is currently under verification.
These developments mark a significant intensification in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, following a year of border clashes. Israeli military reports indicate that heavy airstrikes over the past 24 hours have killed at least 50 Hezbollah fighters, including six sector commanders and regional officials.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Lebanon is on the brink of an all-out war. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres described the Middle East as \"a powder keg with many parties holding the match.\" He emphasized the dire humanitarian situation, noting that over 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon alone, with additional tens of thousands fleeing to neighboring Syria and northern Israel.
Addressing the international community, Guterres called for respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, urging immediate action to prevent the conflict from spiraling further.
In response to the escalating crisis, China has pledged to provide emergency humanitarian medical supplies to Lebanon. A spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) highlighted the urgent need for assistance due to the recent explosions and airstrikes that have resulted in numerous casualties across Lebanon.
The situation remains fluid, with Hezbollah yet to comment on the recent Israeli announcements. As the international community watches closely, the calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid underscore the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and address the mounting humanitarian crisis.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
