The commander of Hezbollah's coastal sector, Ismail Yusaf Baz, was killed in an Israeli strike, the Israeli military announced on Tuesday.
According to a report by Sky News, Baz was eliminated in the area of Ain Ebel, Lebanon, and the incident was captured on video.
Reports indicate that the commander held several high-ranking positions within Hezbollah's military wing. Israel claims that the commander was planning a rocket attack against their country from Lebanon's coastal area.
Shortly before his death, Hezbollah stated that it had attacked Israeli Iron Dome air defense units in the Beit Hillel area, claiming to have killed or wounded several individuals.
THE WORLD WATCHES ISRAEL
Over the weekend, we reported on Iran's drone attack, initially suggesting that the Israeli government might respond that same afternoon. It has since been revealed exactly how many devices Iran used to attack Israel and that Israel intercepted 99 percent of the drones and missiles, with assistance from several other countries.
The Israeli Prime Minister delivered a television speech vowing to defeat the enemy. The United States and other world leaders have also reacted to these developments, with Péter Szijjártó communicating Hungary's stance.
Following the Iranian air attacks on Israel, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán convened a Defence Council meeting at the Carmelite Monastery on Sunday afternoon. After the meeting, Hungary elevated its terror alert level.
MIDDLE EAST ON THE BRINK OF CONFLAGRATION
Israel threatens retaliatory action, with Chief of Staff Herci Halevi confirming on Monday that a response to the attack is definite. Even the International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed concern over a potential attack.
Israel has little time to follow through on its weekend threat to retaliate against the Iranian drone and missile attack. The decision is not simple; a forceful strike could engulf the Middle East in flames and potentially diminish Western sympathy towards Israel, yet appearing weak is not an option. These possibilities were discussed in "The Analyst" with Tárik Meszár, lead researcher at the Eurasia Institute and the Migration Research Institute.
ISRAEL HAS FIVE OPTIONS
According to Bild, which interviewed Iran expert Raz Zimmt, Israel could retaliate in one of five ways:
1. ATTACKING IRAN'S NUCLEAR FACILITIES: Unlikely given the complexities and risks involved. The facilities are deeply buried, requiring continuous bombing, and failure could lead to devastating consequences, increasing Iranian attacks against Israel and international isolation.
2. STRIKING NON-NUCLEAR TARGETS IN IRAN: Israel could target Iranian armories and drone factories, though risky due to Iran's strong air defenses. Still, a limited attack against Iran remains a possibility, said Zimmt.
3. HUNTING IRANIAN COMMANDERS: "Israel has more options than Iran thanks to its intelligence and operational superiority," Zimmt noted, meaning high-ranking military officials in Iran or other countries could be targeted.
4. ATTACKING TERRORIST PROXIES: Zimmt considers it unlikely that Israel would target Hezbollah or Iranian militias in Iraq due to the desire to avoid full-scale confrontation.
5. CYBERATTACKS: This would be the mildest response and could prove highly effective. According to former U.S. Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie, choosing a response that leverages technological superiority could disconcert the opponent.