Hezbollah Leader Nabil Kaouk Killed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Escalating Conflict
The Israeli military confirmed the killing of Nabil Kaouk, a high-ranking Hezbollah official, in an airstrike, marking another significant blow to the Lebanese militant group. Kaouk, who served as the deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Council, was killed on Saturday. However, Hezbollah has made no immediate comment. The exact location of the strike remains undisclosed.
Hezbollah’s Widespread Losses and Escalating Conflict
This strike follows a series of Israeli operations targeting senior Hezbollah figures. In recent weeks, several top commanders have been killed, including critical members closely aligned with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah confirmed that Ali Karaki, another top commander, was also killed in the strike that claimed Nasrallah’s life. The Israeli military reported that the airstrike hit an underground compound where Hezbollah leaders were meeting.
Israel’s air campaign against Hezbollah has extended to the group’s communication systems, disabling their pagers and walkie-talkies. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes have caused extensive destruction, killing at least 1,030 people, including 156 women and 87 children, in less than two weeks. The strikes have displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians, with an estimated 250,000 taking refuge in shelters. Many more are staying with friends and relatives or are homeless on the streets.
Despite its losses, Hezbollah continues to fire rockets, missiles, and drones into northern Israel. However, the majority have been intercepted by Israel’s defense systems or landed in open areas with minimal damage. The conflict has left Hezbollah reeling from the loss of key military leaders like Kaouk, a veteran Hezbollah commander since the 1980s who led forces in southern Lebanon during the 2006 war with Israel. The United States sanctioned Kaouk in 2020 for his involvement in Hezbollah’s military activities.
Hezbollah and the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated following Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. As an ally of Hamas, Hezbollah intensified its rocket fire into northern Israel, further straining the already volatile region. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are part of the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance,” united in their opposition to Israel.
Israel, in response, launched waves of airstrikes aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s military capabilities. The conflict has steadily escalated, with fears mounting that it could ignite a broader regional war.
Israel’s Northern Evacuations and Hopes for a Cease-fire
Israel is working to return approximately 60,000 of its citizens to northern communities that were evacuated nearly a year ago amid rising tensions with Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah has stated that it will only halt its rocket fire if there is a cease-fire in Gaza. Despite months of indirect negotiations led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, an agreement between Israel and Hamas remains elusive.
As the conflict drags on, both sides appear entrenched, with no clear resolution in sight.