Israel’s latest strikes in Lebanon kill Hezbollah commander
Israel’s latest strikes in Lebanon have killed three Hezbollah members, including a field commander, according to Asharq Al-Awsat and agencies on April 16.
Ismail Baz, commander of Hezbollah’s coastal sector, was killed in a targeted strike on a car in Lebanon’s southern town, Ain Abel, the Israeli military said. Baz allegedly planned rocket and anti-tank attacks against Israel.
The Iranian-backed group confirmed Baz’s death but did not describe his role further.
Additional Israeli strikes were carried out separately on two other vehicles near the southern town of Chehabiyeh, killing a further two Hezbollah members.
The near-daily border violence between Israel and Hezbollah, ignited by Hezbollah allegedly in solidarity over Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza strip, is entering its seventh month.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, is set to outstrip the month-long war of 2006, with over 240 Hezbollah members and 68 civilians killed since October 8. On the Israeli side, 18 people have been killed, including both soldiers and civilians.
4 Israeli soldiers were wounded, one severely, by an explosion hundreds of metres inside Lebanon on April 15.
In addition, Hezbollah’s money changer Mohammad Surur, was recently found dead on the outskirts of Beirut, just days following his disappearance.
Lebanese sources accused Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, of kidnapping and murdering Surur.
READ: Did Mossad take out Hezbollah money changer?
UN officials have repeatedly called for both Hezbollah and Israel to de-escalate the situation, yet fears were sparked anew with Iran’s mass-launching of ballistic missiles, drones and cruise missiles against Israel, on April 13.
Israel’s vow to respond has heightened fears over a regional war with Iran, making the likelihood of a truce between Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah increasingly unlikely.
Asharq Al-Awsat / Agencies
