A video released by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on the 23rd (local time) claiming that they eliminated Hussein Ali Azqul, a commander-level member of the Hezbollah aviation unit, a pro-Iranian armed group in Lebanon. According to the video, the IDF bombed the vehicle Azkull was riding in through an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) attack. IDF
While Israel and Iran appear to be showing some restraint after exchanging attacks on the mainland, Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian militant group in Lebanon, is intensifying. While Israel is concentrating its combat power on the airstrike in Rafah, the southernmost part of the Palestinian Gaza Strip, analysts say that Hamas, another pro-Iranian armed group, is gathering military power in the north.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on the 23rd (local time), “We eliminated a commander-level member of Hezbollah’s aviation unit through an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) airstrike.” According to the local media Times of Israel, the Israeli military attacked with a drone near Tyre, a coastal city in southern Lebanon, killing Hussein Ali Azqul, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s aviation unit.
The Israeli military explained, “Azqul was deeply involved in the planning and execution of terrorist attacks against Israel,” and added, “His death will be a significant blow to Hezbollah’s aviation unit.” In addition, the Israeli military killed Sajeed Sarafand, one of the key commanders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit, in the Arjun region of southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah is also launching a counterattack. On the same day, according to AFP, Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the deaths of Azkull and others. They also carried out a drone attack on the northern Acre military base. Reuters commented on this attack, saying, “It was the deepest attack launched into Israeli territory since the war broke out in the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli military bombed the northern part of the Gaza Strip for the first time in about four months and re-entered ground forces, including tanks. The U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited an Israeli Defense Ministry official and reported, “There are still thousands of militants in the northern Gaza Strip.” As the Israeli military prepares for the ground battle in Rafah, the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip, and reduces the number of troops in the north and lowers the intensity of operations, it is observed that Hamas military power is reviving. “It will take some time to stabilize the northern Gaza Strip,” former IDF deputy commander Amar Abibi told WSJ.
Reporter Lee Ki-wook [email protected]
Tags: IsraelHezbollah conflict intensifies .. Hezbollah commander killed airstrike
