The Impressive TimesIran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to deliver a rare sermon today, commemorating the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this week. The death of Nasrallah marks a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and Khamenei’s address is expected to underscore Iran’s solidarity with the militant group. Nasrallah’s assassination by Israel has dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah, and Khamenei is likely to reaffirm Iran’s continued support for the organization in his speech.
The strike that killed Nasrallah occurred during a wave of Israeli airstrikes, which have targeted Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut, as well as critical infrastructure such as Beirut’s airport. According to sources, Israel also targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital. The intended target of this operation was senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who is considered Nasrallah’s successor. Safieddine’s fate remains unclear following the strike, which was part of a broader escalation in Israeli military operations against Hezbollah.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes over the past few days, focusing on Hezbollah’s positions in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut and the southern suburbs, regions that have been considered Hezbollah strongholds since the 2006 war. Ten consecutive airstrikes on Thursday night alone resulted in the deaths of nine people, and marked only the second time Israel has struck central Beirut since 2006. These strikes have also disrupted the border between Syria and Lebanon, cutting off a key route used by refugees fleeing the violence.
The humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict continues to rise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 28 health workers were killed in Lebanon over the past day, further exacerbating the country’s healthcare crisis. Numerous health facilities have been destroyed, leaving medical teams overwhelmed by the high number of casualties. Lebanon’s health ministry reports that 37 people have been killed and 151 injured over the last 24 hours due to Israeli strikes.
Israel’s military, the IDF, claims to have eliminated Hezbollah leader Anisi and 15 others during the strike on the group’s intelligence headquarters. Additionally, Israeli forces have issued evacuation warnings for Beirut and southern Lebanon, signaling a further escalation of the conflict. Ground incursions by Israeli forces have led to cross-border fighting with Hezbollah militants, resulting in nine Israeli troop fatalities.
The conflict has displaced approximately 1.2 million people in Lebanon since the airstrikes began earlier this week. The overall death toll has surpassed 1,000, with no end in sight to the escalating violence. While the United Nations and several nations have called for a ceasefire, Israel continues its campaign to eradicate Hezbollah strongholds. An Israeli military official confirmed that the use of white phosphorus shells is being considered, and additional battalions have been stationed along the Lebanon border.
The United States has affirmed its support for Israel, but President Joe Biden has urged restraint, calling for proportional responses. He has also made it clear that any attacks on Iran’s oil or nuclear facilities would cross a red line, further complicating the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
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