In a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, a senior Hezbollah commander, Wissam al-Tawil, also known as “Jawad”, has been killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon. This marks the first time in three months of cross-border clashes that Hezbollah has announced the killing of one of its commanders. The attack was reportedly carried out by an Israeli drone on the road to al-Dabshah in the town of Khirbet Selm. Two people were killed in the strike, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency.
The killing of al-Tawil is the highest-ranking Hezbollah member to be killed since the exchange of near-daily cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah began after the Israel-Hamas war in October. This incident, along with the recent assassination of Hamas’s deputy leader in Beirut, has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region. Hezbollah has vowed that the killing of al-Tawil and the assassination of Salah al-Arouri, which they believe was also caused by an Israeli air strike, “will not go unpunished”. The group has claimed responsibility for an attack on an Israeli military base in retaliation.
Israel has accused al-Tawil of being responsible for rocket attacks on the Meron air surveillance base. The killing of al-Tawil is seen as a setback for Iran-backed Hezbollah, but experts believe that the group’s structure allows for the quick replacement of commanders and fighters. After the killing, sirens warning of rocket attacks were activated across northern Israel along the border with Lebanon. This further raises concerns that the conflict in Gaza could spill over into Lebanon and other neighboring countries.
The timing of this incident is significant as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits the Middle East to ease tensions in the region. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has warned Israel against launching a full-scale war on Lebanon, stating that they will regret it. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has also warned of devastating consequences if the situation escalates along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Global leaders, including the European Union’s foreign policy chief, have emphasized the need to avoid a regional conflict.
Hezbollah has stated that they will not engage in discussions on cross-border clashes until Israel stops its aggression against Gaza. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has expressed readiness to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah forces to not deploy south of the Litani River and for the Lebanese army to have control over all of Lebanon up to the border with Israel. Israel, on the other hand, insists on upholding security in the region and promises to do “whatever it takes” to ensure it.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation between Israel and Hezbollah remains precarious. The international community and regional leaders are closely monitoring the developments and urging restraint to prevent further escalation.
