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IDF Dismantles Hezbollah’s Structure; Leaders Killed in Airstrikes

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Edited by: Fern Sidman

As the war that Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon launched against Israel continues to ratchet up, it was reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a high-profile precision airstrike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, eliminating Ibrahim Qubaisi, the head of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket array. This marked the second targeted strike in the same area in as many days, reflecting Israel’s intensified efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s command structure amidst escalating hostilities, according to a report on The Jewish News Syndicate web site. Qubaisi’s elimination is a significant blow to Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, particularly in the field of missile and rocket warfare.

Late on Tuesday afternoon, it was also reported that media in Lebanon reported an Israeli strike in the Al-Jiya area, south of Beirut. According to the report, sounds of explosions were also heard in the Lebanese capital. The Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported that the strike targeted a Hezbollah weapons warehouse.

Qubaisi was a long-standing figure within Hezbollah, having joined the terror organization in the 1980s. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to oversee its missile and rocket units, making him a key architect of Hezbollah’s missile strategy against Israel. The IDF, in a statement confirmed Qubaisi’s involvement in “many terrorist actions against the IDF forces and Israeli citizens.” His role was particularly crucial during the current conflict, as he was responsible for launching attacks targeting Israeli civilians and military personnel.

The targeted assassination of Qubaisi came less than 24 hours after the IDF’s attempt to eliminate Hezbollah’s No. 3 commander, Ali Karaki, in the same district. This series of strikes signals Israel’s strategic focus on neutralizing Hezbollah’s leadership, aiming to cripple the group’s missile capabilities. According to the IDF, Qubaisi had extensive knowledge of missile operations and was closely aligned with Hezbollah’s senior military leadership, making him an invaluable asset to the group’s ongoing war efforts.

In addition to his oversight of missile units, Qubaisi was directly linked to one of Hezbollah’s most infamous attacks: the kidnapping of IDF Staff Sgts. Benny Avraham, Adi Avitan, and Omar Souad from the Mount Dov border area in October 2000. The three soldiers were killed either during or shortly after their abduction, and their remains were returned to Israel four years later as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hezbollah. As the report on JNS.org highlighted, this act solidified Qubaisi’s legacy as a central figure in Hezbollah’s military wing, responsible for operations that have left deep scars on Israeli society.

At the time of the strike, Qubaisi was reportedly surrounded by other key commanders within Hezbollah’s missile and rocket array. According to initial Lebanese reports, at least five individuals were killed and several others injured in the attack. JNS.org noted that this strike further depletes Hezbollah’s high command at a time when the group is heavily engaged in rocket fire against northern Israel.

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon. Credit: Hussein Malla/AP

Following Qubaisi’s assassination, Hezbollah retaliated with a massive rocket barrage targeting Israel’s northern communities. More than 100 projectiles were fired within one hour, triggering air-raid sirens across the region, including in the Upper Galilee city of Safed. According to Israel’s Channel 12, residents in the Golan Regional Council were instructed to stay near bomb shelters and avoid public gatherings due to the heightened threat. JNS.org reported that, despite the intensity of the attack, no injuries were recorded.

Tuesday’s airstrike was the fifth time that the IDF has targeted the Lebanese capital since Hezbollah officially entered the conflict in support of Hamas following the October 7th massacre. Hezbollah’s involvement has further complicated the regional security landscape, leading to an escalation in Israeli airstrikes aimed at Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. These strikes are part of a broader Israeli strategy to degrade Hezbollah’s missile capabilities and disrupt its leadership, while responding to the group’s continued rocket fire against Israel’s northern communities.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) also initiated an extensive aerial campaign over the past 24 hours, targeting more than 2000 Hezbollah positions in Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. This operation, dubbed “Operation Northern Arrows,” represents a significant escalation in Israel’s response to Hezbollah attacks in the region. According to Israeli military sources, these strikes are part of a broader effort to neutralize Hezbollah’s capacity to launch rockets into Israel.

Israel’s Iron Dome is seen here intercepting rockets fired into northern Israel from Lebanon. Credit: Baz Ratner/AP

One of the most notable incidents involved the destruction of a Hezbollah terror cell responsible for launching 20 rockets into northern Israel. These attacks, which targeted the areas of Afula and HaAmakim, came in three separate barrages during the night, intensifying tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. According to the JNS.org report, the launchers used in these rocket attacks were successfully destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. The operation’s precision underscores the strategic nature of Israel’s current military campaign, with a clear focus on dismantling Hezbollah’s rocket-launching infrastructure.

In addition to the airstrikes, the IDF used artillery and tanks to strike more Hezbollah positions, specifically in the areas of Ayta ash Shab and Ramyeh in Southern Lebanon. JNS.org reported that these areas are known to be Hezbollah strongholds and have been central to the group’s operations. The coordination between air and ground forces demonstrates the comprehensive scope of Israel’s military strategy in this region, which aims to weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities across multiple fronts.

The overnight strikes followed a massive aerial offensive on Monday, during which Israeli fighter jets targeted rocket launchers, command centers, and Hezbollah-controlled structures. Many of these structures, according to JNS.org, were civilian residences used by Hezbollah to store munitions, highlighting the group’s tactic of embedding military assets within civilian populations. This practice has drawn criticism and concerns about the potential for civilian casualties, but Israel maintains that its strikes are directed solely at military targets.

As Israel’s offensive intensifies, the situation remains fluid, with Hezbollah reportedly regrouping and preparing for further escalation. The ongoing airstrikes, combined with artillery and tank support, signal Israel’s determination to degrade Hezbollah’s military infrastructure while mitigating the threat posed by the group’s rocket arsenal. According to reports from JNS.org, “Operation Northern Arrows” is likely to continue in the coming days as Israel seeks to restore security along its northern border.

Also on Tuesday, it was reported that Hezbollah’s relentless rocket barrage on northern Israel intensified, leading to multiple injuries and widespread damage. Among the casualties was a 25-year-old man who suffered moderate injuries from shrapnel during an attack targeting the Mount Carmel area. These aggressive actions are part of a broader escalation in the region, as Hezbollah continues to engage Israel with significant firepower. According to JNS.org this marks another day of heightened tension and danger for northern Israeli residents.

In the city of Nahariya and its surrounding areas, sirens blared as residents sought shelter from the incoming rockets. While two rockets from Lebanon fell into the sea without causing any injuries or damage, the psychological impact of these continued attacks cannot be understated. Communities across the Galilee and near Haifa, including the cities of Afula and Nazareth, also faced rocket fire throughout the day. JNS.org reported that Hezbollah’s increased range of strikes highlighted the growing threat posed by the Iran-backed terror group.

On the international front, the Associated Press reported that the United States is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East in response to the violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

A U.S. Navy replenishment ship operating in the Middle East sustained damage and the cause was under investigation, officials said Tuesday. (US Navy via AP)

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, would not say how many more forces would be deployed or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. now has about 40,000 troops in the region.

The AP reported that on Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, two Navy destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe on a regularly scheduled deployment. The ships’ departure opens up the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Arabian Gulf, in the region in case more violence breaks out.

Moreover, the United States has voiced its opposition to a potential Israeli ground maneuver into southern Lebanon as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. On Monday, a senior American official stated that Washington does not believe that a ground invasion by Israeli forces would contribute to reducing violence or de-escalating the conflict. As reported by JNS.org, the statement came just before the high-level General Debate of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting the growing diplomatic efforts to manage the situation.

The official made it clear that the U.S. is working on diplomatic solutions aimed at finding an “off-ramp” to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. “We’ve got some concrete ideas we’re going to be discussing with allies and partners this week to try to figure out the way forward on this,” the official said, according to the JNS.org report. The goal, according to the American envoy, is to prevent further escalation while creating conditions for both Israeli and Lebanese communities near the Blue Line to safely return home. The report also noted that Washington is keen on finding a path that avoids a broader military confrontation, focusing instead on reducing tensions on both sides.

Since October 8, Hezbollah has launched over 8,800 rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward Israel, significantly disrupting life in the northern parts of the country. These attacks came after Hezbollah officially joined the conflict in support of Hamas, which initiated the war with Israel. The barrage of strikes has forced more than 60,000 Israelis to evacuate from northern communities. According to JNS.org, Israel has since ramped up its rhetoric and military actions against Hezbollah, with the return of displaced northern residents becoming an official war objective for the Israeli government.

Despite Israel’s determination to secure its northern border, the U.S. administration remains staunchly opposed to Jerusalem’s stance that military pressure on Hezbollah could pave the way for a diplomatic resolution. The American official stressed that the Biden administration is focused on “reducing tensions…and breaking the cycle of strike-counterstrike.” As reported by JNS.org, the official pointed out that recent history has shown that intensifying military conflict does not usually lead to de-escalation or long-term stability, a perspective that contrasts sharply with Israel’s approach.

In addition to opposing an Israeli ground invasion, the U.S. has also asked Israel to ensure the safety of American citizens in Lebanon. According to a report from Axios, cited by JNS.org, the U.S. is preparing contingency plans to evacuate thousands of Americans from Lebanon if hostilities continue to worsen. This would not be the first time the U.S. has evacuated citizens from Lebanon; the last such event occurred during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

As part of its broader war strategy, Jerusalem has intensified its rhetoric and military actions against Hezbollah, with a clear focus on the return of northern Israeli residents who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict. This shift in strategy was recently formalized, with the return of these residents now an official war goal. JNS.org reported that Israel’s government is increasingly determined to neutralize Hezbollah’s military presence near the border to ensure the safe repopulation of northern communities.

On Monday evening, the Israeli government took a significant step by declaring a “special emergency situation” across the entire country. This declaration grants authorities enhanced powers to ensure civilian safety amidst the growing conflict. According to the information provided in the JNS.org report, this emergency status, which will expire after 48 hours unless renewed by the Cabinet, calls attention to the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for heightened security measures.

Meanwhile, the conflict’s ripple effects have extended to Israel’s transportation sector, particularly international air travel. Multiple foreign airlines have suspended flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport as the security situation worsens. On Tuesday, Wizz Air, British Airways, and Azerbaijan Airlines canceled scheduled flights. Indicated in the JNS.org report was that the Lufthansa Group, which includes major airlines such as Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, has extended its suspension of flights to Israel until October 14th.

As the IDF continue their campaign against Hezbollah, they have also provided detailed evidence of Hezbollah’s tactics, particularly the group’s use of civilian infrastructure to shield military assets. On Monday night, the IDF released video and photographic documentation showing how Hezbollah stores munitions inside civilian homes in Southern Lebanon. One particularly disturbing image, shared by JNS.org, reveals a long-range missile stored in the attic of a home in the village of Houmine al-Tahta, mounted on a hydraulic system for easy deployment. Beneath this attic, a Lebanese family resides, effectively being used as human shields.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF Spokesman, addressed the situation in a press conference, emphasizing the immediate threat posed by these hidden munitions to Israeli civilians. “This is an immediate and real threat to Israeli civilians, and we have an obligation to remove it,” Hagari stated, underscoring Israel’s commitment to targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure while seeking to minimize harm to innocent civilians.

In addition to the images, the IDF also released video footage showing an airstrike on a Lebanese home where Hezbollah had stored weapons. The video, which was reviewed by JNS.org, captured the moment a rocket flew out of the building after the airstrike and struck a neighboring house. This footage serves as stark evidence of the dangers posed by Hezbollah’s tactics, where civilian homes double as weapons depots, turning densely populated areas into war zones.

Also on Tuesday, António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, sparked renewed controversy during his remarks at the U.N. General Assembly’s high-level debate week. In a series of pointed statements, Guterres repeatedly criticized Israel, drawing the ire of Israeli diplomats and pro-Israel advocates. According to JNS.org, the secretary-general’s comments, which alluded to a “world of impunity,” were interpreted by many as a veiled attack on the Jewish state, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Guterres expressed concern over what he described as governments feeling increasingly emboldened to bypass international norms. “A growing number of governments and others feel entitled to a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” he remarked, as was reported by JNS.org. He lamented the perceived disregard for international law, saying, “They can trample international law. They can violate the United Nations charter. They can turn a blind eye to international human rights conventions or the decisions of international courts.” As JNS.org points out, the Israeli government saw these comments as part of a broader trend of U.N. bias against Israel.

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