According to two security sources on Thursday, Habib Maatouk, a high-ranking commander in Hezbollah elite Radwan forces has been killed by an Israeli attack in south Lebanon. Another Commander Ali Ahmed Hassin was also killed by an Israeli attack in April making way for the new commander.
A number of other border towns such as Safad El Battikh and Jmaijmeh also fell under these bombings that claimed Maatouk’s life. There were 18 injured people taken to Tebnine government hospital near it, says Mohammed Hamadi, its director, talking to Reuters.
However, it is unclear how many of the casualties were combatants and how many were non-combatants.
The group’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah spoke on Wednesday warning that if some civilians were hit then they shall increase the scope of their attacks on Israel.
On the other hand Hamas announced earlier today that one of their commanders had been killed during an Israeli strike in West Bekaa, Lebanon whereas another Israeli strike killed a Hezbollah member in Jbal El Botm (southern town). During this day several rockets and missiles targeted Israel by Hezbollah including a first time shelling of Filon base located at Safed in Israel.
On October 7th last year soon after ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities and therefore ignited the Gaza offensive, Hezbollah declared a “support front” with Palestinians which began this enduring conflict between them.
Reuters calculated from various sources that over one hundred Lebanese civilians and more than three hundreds militants have died as well as massive destructions inflicted upon Lebanese frontier villages comparable to those experienced during 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel.
There have been increasing concerns by international observers over recent weeks that Israel may extend her military actions into Lebanon leading to an all-out war. Although preparations are underway for a larger operation according to the Israelis; no decision has yet been made. However, should it be necessary, Hezbollah has stated that it although it does not want war with Israel, is ready for the same.
