Israel acknowledged the attack, saying that Nasser alongside Hezbollah leader Hassan Abdullah are ‘two of the most significant Hezbollah’ militants in southern Lebanon
BEIRUT — An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed a senior Hezbollah commander as tensions between the two sides continue to boil.
The strike near the southern coastal city of Tyre took place as global diplomatic efforts have intensified in recent weeks to prevent escalating clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli military from spiralling into an all-out war that could possibly lead to a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran.
A Hezbollah statement identified the killed commander as Mohammad Naameh Nasser, who went by the name “Abu Naameh,” his nom de guerre. A Hezbollah official speaking anonymously in line with regulations, said he was head of the group’s Aziz Unit, one of three regional divisions in southern Lebanon.
Nasser is the most senior official from the Iran-backed group killed since Taleb Sami Abdullah, who was killed in an airstrike June 11.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a speech honouring Abdullah said he played a pivotal role on the front line since clashes began on Oct. 8 leading the Nasr Unit.
Hezbollah said that in response to the killing of Nasser, it launched Falaq rockets with heavy warheads targeting the headquarters of the Israeli military’s 769th Brigade in Kiryat Shmona, as well as 100 salvos of Katyusha rockets targeting the headquarters of Israel’s 210th division and the Kilaa airbase in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The group also shared footage of Nasser taking part in what they said was an operation at an Israeli military outpost in southern Lebanon in 1999 back when it was under occupation.
In a video circulated by local media, residents rushed toward a charred vehicle with a large plume of smoke. Civil Defence said its first responders transported an unnamed wounded person to a hospital.
The Israeli military acknowledged the attack, saying that Nasser alongside Abdullah are “two of the most significant Hezbollah” militants in southern Lebanon. It said Nasser led attacks from southwestern Lebanon.
Hezbollah launched rockets on northern Israel a day after a Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel in October, leading to limited clashes along the tense border.
The attacks have since gradually escalated, with Hezbollah introducing new weapons in their attacks and Israel striking deeper into Lebanon.
The group maintains that it will stop its attacks once there is a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Until then, it says it will continue with its attacks to pile pressure on Israel and the international community.
Israeli officials have threatened to launch a larger military operation should Hezbollah not stop its attacks.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.