In a significant escalation of tensions in the region, Israel’s military announced the killing of a Hezbollah naval commander in an airstrike carried out in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. The Israeli air force stated that it “struck and eliminated” Khodr Said Hashem, who held a key position within Hezbollah’s naval operations, near the town of Qana.
Israel accused Hashem of engaging in activities that threatened its national security and violated the ceasefire agreement established in November. The military emphasized that Hashem was not only a commander within Hezbollah’s naval unit but also a member of the elite Radwan Force, reportedly involved in maritime smuggling operations.
Reports from Lebanon’s National News Agency indicated that the airstrike targeted a vehicle in a village close to the city of Tyre, resulting in Hashem’s death and marking a significant act of aggression by the Israeli military since the ceasefire took effect.
In response to the airstrike, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Ezzedine urged the committee overseeing the November truce to take action against what he termed a violation of Lebanon’s national sovereignty. He called for greater efforts to expel Israeli forces from occupied lands, warning that continued provocations could lead to a resurgence of armed resistance among the Lebanese people.
The ceasefire, which had largely contained the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, was established after intense fighting that had claimed over 4,000 lives in Lebanon, with significant casualties also reported on the Israeli side. Despite the ceasefire, tensions have remained high, as Israel has conducted strikes in Lebanese territory since the agreement was implemented.
Under the ceasefire arrangement, Israel was expected to withdraw its troops from Lebanon by February 18, having missed a previous January deadline. However, Israeli officials have indicated that forces will remain in strategic positions within what they term a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon. At the same time, Hezbollah has been called to withdraw its military presence north of the Litani River and dismantle its southern military infrastructure.
The situation remains precarious, with hundreds of thousands displaced within Lebanon according to United Nations estimates, raising concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in the region. As both sides navigate the complex landscape of military engagements and political pressures, the prospect for a lasting peace remains uncertain.
