Lebanon’s health ministry reported on Sunday that Israeli airstrikes have killed nearly 60 more people as Israeli forces intensified their bombardment of Hezbollah targets. The strikes follow a major assault on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which killed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, an organization engaged in nearly a year of cross-border clashes with Israel.
Hezbollah has vowed to support Hamas militants in Gaza following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which ignited the ongoing conflict. As Israeli military operations shift focus from Gaza to Lebanon, cross-border hostilities have escalated, leaving hundreds dead in the last week. The toll marks the deadliest period since Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990.
On Sunday, the ministry reported that air raids near Sidon, a key southern city, killed 32 people, while an additional 25 died in the eastern region. The strikes come amidst broader Israeli military efforts to cripple Hezbollah’s capacity and leadership, according to Israeli officials.
Diplomatic Reactions
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who arrived in Lebanon on Sunday, became the first high-ranking foreign diplomat to visit the country since the escalation of Israeli airstrikes. He met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and called for an immediate cessation of Israeli attacks. The French government also confirmed the death of a second French national in the conflict.
France has urged Hezbollah and its backer, Iran, to avoid actions that could lead to a broader regional conflict. Pope Francis similarly criticized the disproportionality of Israel’s response, describing it as exceeding moral boundaries.
Hezbollah Leadership Hit
A source close to Hezbollah confirmed that Nasrallah’s body was found on Saturday and prepared for burial on Sunday. The airstrike that killed him also reportedly claimed the lives of 20 other Hezbollah fighters, including Fuad Shukr and Ibrahim Aqil, key military figures. Hezbollah has yet to officially confirm reports that Nabil Qaouq, a member of its central council, was also killed in recent strikes.
Israel’s military, meanwhile, continues to strike targets across Lebanon, aiming to clear border areas of Hezbollah fighters and enable the safe return of displaced Israeli citizens. More than 700 people have died in Lebanon in the past week due to Israeli bombardments, according to the health ministry.
Yemen Conflict Intertwined
In a separate operation on Sunday, Israeli warplanes targeted Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi media reports stated that four people were killed, and 33 others injured in strikes around the port city of Hodeida, a critical access point for fuel and aid.
The strikes followed Houthi claims of a missile attack on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Israel has been increasingly wary of the Houthis, who have regularly attacked shipping in the Red Sea and carried out other aggressive actions.
Regional Impact and Displacement
The death of Nasrallah has severely impacted Hezbollah, an influential force in Lebanese politics, military, and social sectors. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Nasrallah’s death as settling scores, concerns remain about further escalations.
Lebanon faces an unfolding humanitarian crisis. Over 200,000 people are displaced internally, with more than 50,000 fleeing to neighboring Syria. Prime Minister Mikati warned that up to one million people could be displaced, marking the largest displacement in Lebanon’s history.
In Gaza, Israeli retaliatory strikes continue, with reports from local civil defense agencies of mounting civilian casualties. The Hamas-led attack on October 7, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, has triggered a response that has left over 41,000 Palestinians dead, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
As the conflict deepens, international leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have stressed the need to avoid broader regional warfare. However, analysts predict that Hezbollah, weakened by Nasrallah’s death, will feel pressured to respond, complicating efforts for peace.
