An Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut has killed Ibrahim Qubaisi, a Hezbollah commander in charge of the group’s rocket division, along with five others, according to local sources.
The strike, which took place on Tuesday, dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, which has suffered heavy losses in recent Israeli operations over the past week.
The attack occurred in the Ghobeiry neighborhood, a Hezbollah-controlled area of Beirut, marking the second consecutive day of Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese capital.
A security source confirmed that the airstrike hit a five-story building, causing severe damage to its top floor. The health ministry reported six dead and 15 wounded in the assault.
This latest escalation has raised fears that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could spiral into a broader war.
The airstrikes come amidst nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Hamas, another Iran-backed group based in Gaza. Hezbollah has been launching rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas, drawing increasing retaliation from the Israeli military.
Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, said the country’s operations against Hezbollah would be intensified, adding that the situation required “continued, intense action in all arenas.”
Lebanese authorities reported over 500 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes on Monday alone, as the conflict threatens to destabilize the region further.
Tensions continue to rise as both sides brace for what could become a wider confrontation, with thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel forced to flee their homes due to the escalating violence.
Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi, five others