Israel kills Hezbollah's highest-ranking commander since war began

Hezbollah members carry the coffin of Taleb Abdullah, also known as Abu Taleb. Photo: Mohamed Azakir/REUTERS Taleb Abdullah, also known as Abu Taleb, was killed in a suspected Israeli strike on Tuesday evening. Photo: AFP

Hezbollah said it struck several military targets in response. in the killing of Taleb Abdullah, also known as Abu Taleb, in a suspected Israeli strike Tuesday night on the southern Lebanese town of Juaya, nine miles from the border.

Security sources identified him as the commander of a terrorist group in the central area of ​​the southern border strip.

He is the highest-ranking commander killed in the ongoing firefight between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah in the past eight months.

The intensifying conflict in northern Israel comes as the US, Egypt and Qatar examine Hamas's response to the proposed ceasefire.

Hamas presented an official response to the US-backed three-phase truce agreement late Tuesday, calling his «positive» response, opening a «broad path» to reaching an agreement, but Israel said this amounted to a refusal.

Escalation of conflict

Hezbollah said it would not leave the Lebanese border until the war was over in the Gaza Strip.

Although both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border are still holding back the conflict, increased rocket attacks and the use of heavier weapons have heightened fears of a major regional war.

About 60,000 Israelis have been forced to flee their homes in the worst-hit areas. and about 100,000 Lebanese civilians, including many farmers, were also forced to flee the border region.

Israel's air defense defense was able to do this. to withstand most incoming fire, but slower explosive drones are harder to block.

These are not fireworks in honor of the holiday of Shavuot. These are our air defense systems protecting our civilians from Hezbollah rocket fire in northern Israel. pic.twitter.com/Z6hoGDvpT8

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF), June 11, 2024

On Tuesday evening, the IDF released video of terrified Israeli families grabbing their children and fleeing for shelter during the Shavuot festival as explosions destroyed incoming rockets overhead.

“These are not fireworks to celebrate.” . feast of weeks. These are our air defense systems protecting our civilians from Hezbollah rocket fire in northern Israel,” the IDF said on its X account.