Israel Assassinates Hezbollah Leader, Iran Responds — Conflict Spreads

Damaged buildings at the site of an Israeli airstrike on a suburb south of Beirut, Lebanon. (Photo: AP Photo/Hassan Amar)

The recent death of Hezbollah’s long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Sep. 27 drastically escalated tensions not only between Hezbollah and Israel, but between Israel and the greater Middle East. Israel reported that it successfully targeted an underground headquarters of Hezbollah in the attack. Several surrounding residential buildings in the Beirut neighborhood were demolished in the process. 

Largely in response to the death of Nasrallah, Iran launched at least 180 ballistic missiles towards Israel on Tuesday. Israel is preparing to retaliate against Iran following the missile attack this week, some of which managed to breach Israel’s air defenses. Iran claims this attack was also a response to Israel's recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Ibrahim Aqil, a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, was also killed in an Israeli airstrike south of Beirut on Sep. 20. The elimination of Hezbollah leadership by Israel not only rattled Lebanon, but caused international outrage.

Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, spoke at the funeral of Aqil. He claimed that the death of the commander could be the catalyst for a new phase in the conflict, “namely an open reckoning” with the State of Israel. 

The Iran-backed Shia political party and military group, Hezbollah, is known by Israel to be allied with Hamas. The group is considered to be a terrorist organization by the US and Israel.

Lebanon became the target for Israeli attacks mainly due to Lebanon’s involvement in the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both Iran-backed groups and part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.”

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire since the war on Gaza erupted nearly a year ago, with Hezbollah launching rockets in support of the Palestinians and its ally, Hamas. The ongoing disputes — which have drastically escalated within the past few weeks — have resulted in dozens of deaths in Israel, hundreds in Lebanon,  and the displacement of about a million people.

Residents in south Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes as the Israeli army continues to strike targets in Lebanon. Both sides engage in retaliatory strikes, raising concerns about a wider conflict in the region.

Preceding the airstrikes, on Sep. 17, hundreds of pagers belonging to members of Hezbollah were detonated. This elaborate attack is believed to have been planned and executed by Israel, despite the state having no comment on the pager attacks.

Many of the pager attacks occurred in a densely populated neighborhood in Beirut. Dozens of Hezbollah members were killed or wounded, and thousands were wounded in the attacks. In light of the recent pager explosions, the death of Nasrallah and Aqil became further indicators of increased tensions in the conflict.

There are mixed public reactions to Nasrallah’s death. Many in Iran now view him as a martyr and recognize the loss of a significant ally for the Palestinians in the conflict in Gaza. 

In Syria, many people celebrated in the streets following Nasrallah's death, according to Syrian journalist Farid Al Mahlool. He told NPR, “People are happy to hear it. Too many have been displaced, killed, and lost loved ones due to Nasrallah’s support for the Syrian regime. His involvement contributed to the destruction of several cities and the displacement of countless individuals.”

Demonstrators in Iran commemorate Nasrallah in Tehran, Iran. A demonstrator holds a Palestinian flag and a portrait of Nasrallah. (Photo: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Given Israel's resolve to tackle all its foes at once—in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and Syria—the Netanyahu government seems disinclined to exercise caution.

Until recently, neither Hezbollah nor Israel seemed inclined towards a full blown war, as Hezbollah had avoided striking Tel Aviv or civilian targets. Israel's shift in focus from Gaza to Lebanon and other countries has intensified military exchanges, resulting in significant civilian casualties and displacements. Many countries are outraged as Israel continues to strike foreign targets, raising concerns of another world war in the midst.