Israeli airstrike eliminates key Hezbollah leader Nabil Kaouk, military reports
PTC News Desk: In a dramatic escalation of military operations, the Israeli military has claimed responsibility for the airstrike that killed Nabil Kaouk, a senior leader within Hezbollah, a day after the death of the group's chief, Hassan Nasrallah. The announcement came via a post on social media platform X, detailing Kaouk's significance within the Iran-backed militant organisation as a potential successor to Nasrallah.
Nabil Kaouk held the position of commander of Hezbollah's Preventive Security Unit and was also a member of its Central Council. The Israeli military indicated that the airstrike was executed with precision, directed by its military intelligence. This targeted action against Kaouk underscores Israel's intensified focus on Hezbollah's leadership, particularly in the wake of Nasrallah's death.
Hezbollah has not yet confirmed the death of Kaouk. However, Israeli strikes have increasingly concentrated on Hezbollah's strongholds, particularly in southern Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. Israel claims that these areas serve as storage sites for thousands of rockets, enhancing the group's military capabilities.
The Israeli military reported that, including Nasrallah, it has successfully eliminated eight of Hezbollah's nine senior military commanders this year, with most of these actions occurring within the last week. These commanders played pivotal roles in various divisions, including the rocket division and the elite Radwan force, according to reports from news agency Reuters.
In response to the ongoing violence, Lebanon has declared a five-day mourning period, which began on Sunday, following the airstrikes that resulted in the death of Hassan Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah for 32 years. During this mourning period, all shops, businesses, and government offices in Lebanon will remain closed until Wednesday.
In light of these developments, Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Hassan Nasrallah, has been named as his successor to lead Hezbollah.
The recent Israeli offensive against Hezbollah is part of a broader and more aggressive strategy to neutralise the militant group, which Israel accuses of conducting 11 months of sustained fire into its territory. This escalation has resulted in significant casualties, with over 700 lives lost in Lebanon in just the past week alone. Nasrallah had previously characterised the conflict as a "support front" for Hamas in Gaza, indicating a broader regional dynamic in the ongoing hostilities.
- With inputs from agencies
