The Israeli army says it has killed the deputy head of Hezbollah’s special forces unit during an “intelligence-directed” strike in Lebanon.
In a post on X, a spokesperson for the Israeli military said Mustafa Ahmad Shadadi had been killed in the country’s south.
It added that he was second-in-command of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and was responsible for operations in Syria and overseeing terror attacks in southern Lebanon.
The announcement came as the Israeli army issued a warning to residents in the southern Lebanese region of Nabatieh to evacuate their homes.
It was the second evacuation request in Lebanon on Wednesday, after Israeli authorities issued a warning to residents in the northern Lebanese town of Baalbek.
It is the first time residents in the country’s north have been warned to leave their homes.
Baalbek’s mayor later reported strikes had hit the city and its outskirts.
A local civil defence representative said following the alert, there had been “panic” as people attempted to leave.
New Hezbollah leader vows war with Israel to continue
The killing of Ahmad Shadadi came a day after Hezbollah elected Naim Qassem to succeed Hassan Nasrallah as the new leader of the terror group.
On Wednesday, Qassem committed the organisation to continuing its war with Israel.
He added the movement “was not fighting on anyone’s behalf”, adding that Iran “supports us but doesn’t want anything” in return.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah new leader Sheikh Naim Qassem vowed his organisation was not doing Iran’s bidding. (Reuters: Al Manar TV)
On Tuesday, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said Qassem’s appointment would be “temporary”.
As Israel’s operation in Lebanon continues, US mediators are working on a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the country, according to Reuters.
The newsagency cited two sources, including a senior diplomat in Lebanon.
“There is an earnest push to get to a ceasefire, but it is still hard to get it to materialise,” the diplomat told Reuters.
It would involve adopting measures to keep southern Lebanon free of arms outside of state control.
Two officials from the White House are expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday.
A similar push for a ceasefire in Gaza is also reportedly underway.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 20
Israel also continued operations in the Gaza Strip, with Palestinian medics saying 20 people were killed on Wednesday.
It follows a strike on Tuesday in northern Gaza, which left at least 93 people killed or missing.
The US State Department described the strike as “horrifying” and urged Israel to explain its actions.
Rescue efforts are continuing in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, a day after an Israeli airstrike. (AFP)
A doctor at a local hospital said a lack of medical supplies and damaged hospitals meant healthcare workers were struggling to help people presenting with injuries from air strikes and gunfire.
The Israeli military assault that has laid waste to the Gaza Strip and killed tens of thousands of people shows no signs of slowing as Israel wages a new war in Lebanon and its backer the United States tries after a year of failed attempts to broker ceasefires for both.
Northern Gaza, where Israel said in January it had dismantled militant group Hamas’ command structure, is currently the focus of the military’s assault.
Reuters/AFP
