Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli airstrikes had killed two potential successors to Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah, as Israel intensified its ground offensive in southern Lebanon by deploying a fourth army division, Reuters reports.
The Israeli military reported that recent airstrikes had killed at least 50 Hezbollah fighters, including six commanders. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that Hashem Safieddine, a likely successor to Nasrallah, may also be dead, although his status remains uncertain. Netanyahu claimed that Israel has significantly degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities, eliminating thousands of militants, and emphasized that the group is now weaker than it has been in years.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem expressed willingness to negotiate a ceasefire and indicated that the end of the Gaza war was no longer a prerequisite for halting combat in Lebanon. However, Qassem asserted that Hezbollah’s military capabilities remain intact, despite the recent losses.
The Israeli military’s deployment in Lebanon involves thousands of troops, targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, over 3,000 rockets have been fired into Israel from Lebanon this month, prompting regular evacuation warnings in Israeli communities near the border. The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties in Lebanon, with over 1,000 people killed and more than a million displaced.
