What Happened to Three Hezbollah Commanders in Israeli Airstrikes?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Beirut, Feb 21 (NationPress) In a tragic escalation, three high-ranking commanders of the Lebanese Hezbollah were among the casualties in a series of Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon on Friday. Alongside them, eight others lost their lives, and 35 individuals sustained injuries, based on reports from official and Lebanese security sources.
The official National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon indicated an initial assessment revealing that over 10 people had perished, with more than 30 others injured due to the airstrike targeting a building in Riyaq, located in eastern Lebanon.
A representative from the Lebanese Civil Defence informed the Xinhua news agency that the confirmed death toll had risen to 11, with 35 individuals injured. Search and rescue operations for missing persons are currently ongoing.
Informed security sources disclosed to Xinhua that the deceased included three commanders of Hezbollah: Hussein Mohammad Yaghi, Ali Zeid al-Moussawi, and Mohammad Ibrahim al-Moussawi.
Hezbollah officially expressed its condolences for the loss of commander Hussein Mohammad Yaghi, declaring him a martyr in defense of Lebanon and its citizens.
According to Lebanese security sources, Israeli warplanes executed six strikes on various targets in eastern Lebanon, specifically hitting Hezbollah installations.
Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement has been in place between Hezbollah and Israel.
On February 16, Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem warned that Israel would encounter a painful response should tensions rise, accusing the United States of providing direct support to Israeli military actions and expansion in the region.
During a memorial service, Qassem articulated that Israel is engaged in a strategy of maximum pressure to extract political concessions while evading the broader implications of warfare. Even though Israel may gain tactical superiority in certain skirmishes, he asserted that it would not achieve enduring control or stability.
Qassem characterized Israel as an expansionist entity vying for greater territorial dominance across Palestine and beyond. He expressed concerns about the gradual and formal annexation of the occupied West Bank and highlighted the situation in Gaza, indicating that substantial areas are under direct Israeli administration.
He also described the United States as a full partner in Israeli endeavors, alleging that Washington orchestrates operations and offers political and diplomatic cover for military initiatives and territorial expansion.
Following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border skirmishes.