Iran expects Hezbollah, its ally in Lebanon, to expand its attacks deeper into Israeli territory and beyond military targets following the killing of a Hezbollah commander by Israel. Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces nearly every day.
The situation intensified after an Israeli strike in a densely populated residential area in South Beirut, which Iran’s mission to the United Nations said has shifted the dynamics. “We expect Hezbollah to choose more targets and strike deeper in its response,” the mission told the official IRNA news agency. “Secondly, it will not limit its response to military targets.”
The strike on Tuesday killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. The Lebanese health ministry reported that five civilians, including three women and two children, were also killed. Israel claimed Shukr was responsible for rocket fire that killed 12 youths in the annexed Golan Heights and had directed Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel since the Gaza war began.
Previously, Hezbollah and Israel had adhered to an understanding that limited strikes to border areas and military targets. However, the Beirut strike crossed that line, according to Iran’s mission.
Following Shukr’s killing, Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a pre-dawn strike on his accommodation in Tehran, as reported by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Israel has not commented on this incident.
In response to the escalating tensions, the United States is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and fighter jets to the region to prevent potential regional escalation by Iran or its proxies, according to the Pentagon.
Indian nationals in Israel have been advised to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols amid the rising tensions. The Indian Embassy in Beirut has strongly advised against traveling to Lebanon and urged those currently in the country to leave.
Abdul Malik al-Huthi, the leader of Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels, has also vowed a “military response” to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, describing the actions of Israel as “shameless and dangerous” and a significant escalation. The Yemeni rebels have been launching drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea since November, claiming solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict.
Since October last year, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in at least 542 deaths on the Lebanese side, including 114 civilians, according to reports.
