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The Israel Defense Forces intensified its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Saturday, targeting command centers, weapons caches, tunnels, and other strategic sites. The military claimed it had killed at least 440 Hezbollah operatives since ground operations began on Monday. According to the IDF, one of the key strikes occurred overnight at a command center located inside a mosque in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon. The facility was reportedly within the Martyr Salah Ghandour Hospital compound. The operatives were allegedly using the command room to plan and carry out attacks on Israeli forces. Live updates here.
Nasrallah Successor Killed?
Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source reported that the potential successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had been unreachable since Friday, following an Israeli airstrike believed to have targeted him. Israel conducted a major strike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday, with Israeli officials, cited by Axios, claiming the target was Hashem Safieddine in an underground bunker. Though the IDF is still assessing the outcome, reports suggest growing confidence among Israeli security officials that Safieddine had been killed.
Nasrallah himself was killed on September 28 in a series of strikes that severely impacted Hezbollah's leadership.
Two Senior Hamas Commanders Killed
In a separate development, the IDF and Shin Bet announced that two senior Hamas commanders were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. The first strike occurred at the Beddawi Palestinian camp near Tripoli, killing Saeed Atallah Ali, who was involved in planning terror attacks against Israel and recruiting Hamas members in Lebanon. Hamas confirmed Ali's death, calling him a field commander.
The second airstrike took place near the Beqaa Valley town of Saadnayel, killing Mohammed Hussein al-Lawis, identified as Hamas's top official in Lebanon and a key figure in directing terror attacks in the West Bank.
Israel Announces Plans To Attack Iran
The Israel War Room on Saturday announced plans for a "serious and significant" retaliatory strike against Iran, posting a tweet stating that preparations for the strike are well underway. "The IDF is preparing for the retaliation strike in Iran: It will be serious and significant; we are at the heart of the preparations and deal with it most of our time. This will have consequences for the IRGC—and they should understand that," the post stated.
The post also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, expressing expectations of "significant cooperation from partner countries in the region" for the offensive action.
"The IDF expects significant cooperation from the partner countries in the region in the offensive action. The number of ballistic missiles launched from Iran to Israel in this week's attack – 201. Most of them were intercepted by the Israeli air defense systems."
Iran Missile Attack On Israel
This statement follows a missile attack by Iran earlier in the week, during which 201 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel. Most of these were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems, leaving a sole casualty – a Palestinian man in Gaza. Officials in Washington said US destroyers assisted in Israel’s defense.
Khamenei Praises Attack On Israel
On Friday, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the missile strike on Israel and said it was ready to do it again if necessary.
In his first appearance as leader at Friday prayers in about five years, Khamenei called the missile strike a "shining" job by Iran's armed forces.
Israeli Ground Op In Lebanon Continues
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to pound Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, striking a command centre in southern Lebanon overnight. "Overnight, with the direction of IDF (army) intelligence, the IAF (air force) struck Hezbollah terrorists who were operating within a command centre that was located inside a mosque adjacent to the Salah Ghandour Hospital in southern Lebanon," the IDF said in a statement. Earlier on Friday, Israel also blew up the main Lebanon-Syria highway, affecting thousands of Lebanese civilians who were using the route to flee the conflict. Israel said the route was blocked as it was being used by Hezbollah militants to smuggle in weapons and ammunition.
Meanwhile, reports stated that the expected successor to former Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, Hashem Safieddine, was also killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut. Saudi news outlet Al Hadath reported that Safieddine was killed along with his companions in an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on Friday.
Israel is said to have lost scores of its soldiers in combat in Lebanon ever since its ground operation began.
(With inputs from agencies)