 |
|
The recent escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has taken a dramatic turn with the reported elimination of high-ranking Hezbollah commander Nabil Kaouk. This follows the death of Hezbollah's chief, Hassan Nasrallah, in a massive Israeli airstrike on Friday. While Hezbollah has yet to confirm Kaouk's death, reports indicate mourning messages from his supporters emerged on Saturday. Kaouk, who served as the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council, held a significant position within the organization. He had previously served as Hezbollah’s military commander in south Lebanon from 1995 until 2010, and in 2020, he was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury alongside another member of Hezbollah’s council, Hassan al-Baghdadi.
The killing of Kaouk represents a significant blow to Hezbollah's leadership, following the loss of Nasrallah. This pattern of targeted killings against Hezbollah leadership is not new; Nasrallah himself succeeded Abbas Mousawi, who was eliminated in an Israeli helicopter attack in 1992. The ongoing conflict has created a leadership vacuum within Hezbollah, potentially weakening the organization's capabilities. Israel has explicitly stated its intention to continuously target Hezbollah within Lebanon, highlighting its aggressive approach to the conflict.
The ramifications of this conflict extend beyond the immediate casualties. The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced. According to reports, an estimated 250,000 individuals have left their homes and sought refuge in government-run shelters and informal accommodations. The actual number of those directly affected or displaced is believed to be much higher, potentially reaching four times the official estimate. The UN has confirmed that as of Friday, 211,319 people were forced to relocate, and this figure does not account for the displacement caused by the intensive Israeli airstrikes over Beirut’s southern suburbs in recent days. The Lebanese government has converted schools and other facilities into temporary shelters, but many remain homeless, sleeping on streets and public squares as aid organizations struggle to provide adequate housing.
Source: Israel says senior Hezbollah commander Nabil Kaouk eliminated, after Hassan Nasrallah's killing