Hezbollah confirms its top commander killed in Israel's airstrike
What's the story
A day after Israel carried out its largest aerial assault on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon—resulting in 558 deaths, including 50 children, and over 1,800 injuries—the Iran-backed group confirmed on Wednesday the death of one of its senior commanders—Ibrahim Mohammed Kobeissi. In a statement, Hezbollah said Kobeissi was "martyred on road to Jerusalem," a phrase they use for fighters killed in Israeli strikes. The Israeli military also reported that two other commanders from Kobeissi's unit were "eliminated" in the same attack.
Crisis anticipation
UN agency anticipates triple crisis amid Israeli strikes
Israel's latest offensive against Hezbollah has sparked concerns of significantly escalating the nearly year-long conflict with Hamas and further destabilizing the Middle East. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is preparing for a "triple tragedy" as Israeli strikes on Lebanon exacerbate existing tensions in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said, "With three of its areas of operations turning into active frontlines, the embattled agency...is poised to come under even more pressure."
Diplomatic appeals
World leaders urge de-escalation amid rising tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, to leverage Iran's influence to defuse escalating tensions in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of "complicated days" ahead and clarified that Israel's campaign is not against the Lebanese people. He also urged them to "get out of harm's way now."
International response
UK and US respond to escalating conflict
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has advised British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately as the UK prepares for a potential evacuation following days of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah. US President Joe Biden, in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly, warned against a "full-scale war" in the Middle East and advocated for diplomatic solutions both in Lebanon and the nearly year-old Gaza war.
Diplomatic disappointment
Lebanon's foreign minister expresses disappointment in Biden's remarks
Lebanon's foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, expressed disappointment in Biden's remarks on the Middle East at the United Nations. He hoped for greater US diplomacy, stating that Biden's speech was "not strong, it is not promising, and it would not solve the Lebanese problem." The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the escalating situation in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.