Hezbollah Commander Killed in Israeli Air Strike as Lebanon Faces Intense Bombardment

The escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon has claimed another life, with Hezbollah confirming the death of one of its top commanders, Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi, known as “Hajj Abu Musa,” in an Israeli airstrike early Wednesday, Al Jazeera reports.

The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the strike on Ghobeiri, a suburb south of Beirut, stating that Qubaisi led Hezbollah’s missile and rocket units and was responsible for the 2000 attack in which three Israeli soldiers were kidnapped and killed.

The strike, which killed a total of six people and injured 15 others according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, has further inflamed tensions in the region.

Since Monday, Israeli attacks have killed at least 569 people and injured 1,835 in Lebanon, driving tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens to flee their homes in the south and seek refuge in Beirut and other northern areas.

The latest escalation follows a series of events including the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies targeting Hezbollah members in Lebanon last week, which sparked the current wave of violence. Hezbollah has retaliated with hundreds of rockets fired into Israel, most intercepted by Israel’s anti-missile defenses.

On Tuesday alone, Hezbollah launched approximately 300 rockets, injuring six Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Fear of a full-scale war is mounting, especially as the one-year anniversary of Israel’s war on Gaza approaches. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss the escalating conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern, warning that Lebanon is “at the brink.”

“We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel, and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza,” Guterres said.