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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has taken a new turn with Israel claiming to have eliminated Hashem Safieddine, a potential successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The claim was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that Israel has “eliminated” thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself and his potential replacements. However, the Israeli military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, stated that the results of the strike on Hezbollah intelligence headquarters in Beirut last Friday are still being assessed, with accusations of Hezbollah attempting to conceal the details. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also expressed less certainty, suggesting that Safieddine had “probably” been eliminated.
The Israeli military operation, which took place in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut, has left Lebanese security officials uncertain about Safieddine's fate. A Lebanese security source informed CNN that they had lost contact with Safieddine after the strike. His potential leadership position within Hezbollah has been widely acknowledged, making his elimination a significant blow to the organization if confirmed.
Netanyahu, in a direct address to the Lebanese people, called on them to stand up to Hezbollah and take back their country. He emphasized the suffering inflicted upon Lebanon due to Hezbollah's actions and the potential for further destruction and suffering if the war continues. He urged the Lebanese people to seize the opportunity to save Lebanon from falling into the abyss of a protracted war. The conflict has already resulted in over 1,400 fatalities in Lebanon according to the health ministry, with more than 1.2 million people displaced. The escalating tensions and the potential for further casualties underscore the severity of the situation and the urgent need for a resolution.
Source: Live updates: Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza, war with Hamas and Hezbollah