Israel-Hezbollah latest: Netanyahu says would-be Hezbollah leader Safieddine killed in airstrike
Israel has pushed into south-west Lebanon after days of fighting on the south eastern side of the country
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Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces have killed the would-be successor of the late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
In a pre-recorded video message, the Israeli prime minister said: “We’ve degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities. We took out thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of the replacement.”
Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Hashem Safieddine, the man expected to replace the Nasrallah, had probably been “eliminated”.
Safieddine, a top Hezbollah official, has not been heard from publicly since an Israeli airstrike late last week. He has been a prime target for Israel, nurtured as an influential leader and potential heir.
The Israeli military also said on Tuesday that it had killed Suhail Husseini – who was responsible for overseeing Hezbollah logistics, budget and management – the night before.
The claims come as the Israeli military expanded its ground invasion of southern Lebanon by deploying another division of thousands of troops and Hezbollah launched barrages of rockets towards the northern Israeli port city of Haifa on Tuesday for the third consecutive day, injuring 12 people.
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Recap: Main developments of today
- The Israeli military moved its 146th reserve troops, supported by an artillery battalion, to southwest Lebanon as it expanded its offensive throughout the country on Tuesday morning.
- Hezbollah launched around 135 missiles over northern Israel, mainly targeting Haifa, as Israel claimed it destroyed Hezbollah positions across southern Lebanon.
- Israel claimed it was likely Hassan Nasrallah’s successor Hashem Safieddine was killed in an airstrike on Beirut overnight.
France, Qatar deliver urgent aid to Lebanon, foreign minister says
France and Qatar delivered urgent humanitarian aid to Lebanon on Tuesday, France’s foreign minister said, as Paris pushes for broader humanitarian efforts and a ceasefire in the country.
“If we don’t do anything, then Lebanon tomorrow could resemble what Syria has become,” Jean-Noel Barrot told lawmakers in parliament. “(That is), a hub of instability for smuggling, terrorism and a point of departure for a large migration of civilians seeking refuge in Europe.”
French and Qatari military planes delivered some 27 metric tons of medicines and basic necessities, including blankets and hygiene kits, diplomatic sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Pictured: Aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut
Naim Kassem: The former teacher now leading Hezbollah
Naim Kassem: The former teacher now leading Hezbollah
Kassem is widely seen as lacking Hassan Nasrallah’s charisma and oratory skills
Israel tightens restrictions on civilians in Haifa area after rocket barrage
Israel’s Home Front Command on Tuesday tightened restrictions on civilians in the Haifa area in the wake of a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“The activity scale will be changed from partial activity to limited activity, meaning educational activities are prohibited,” the military said, adding that the rest of the country’s guidelines remain unchanged.
Who is Hashem Safieddine, the Nasrallah relative seen as future Hezbollah leader?
Israeli forces have claimed senior Hezbollah commander Hashem Safieddine was likely killed in an overnight airstrike on Beirut.
Safieddine was widely seen as the successor to his slain relative Hassan Nasrallah, who perished in an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese capital city on 27 September.
He was running Hezbollah alongside the group’s deputy secretary general Naim Qassem since Nasrallah’s assassination just under two weeks ago.
Safieddine has sat on the group’s Jihad Council - the body responsible for its military operations. He was also head of its executive council, overseeing financial and administrative affairs for the Iran-backed group.
While not as well-known to Israelis as Nasrallah, Safieddine is seen by Israel as a leading target in what it deems a terrorist organisation and a proxy for Iran.
Joe Biden called Netanyahu a ‘f***ing liar’, according to upcoming book
US President Joe Biden called prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “f*****g liar” after IDF troops went into Rafah, according to an upcoming book by US journalist Bob Woodward.
After Israel entered Rafah, Biden said of Netanyahu: “He’s a f****** liar.” “That son of a b***h, Bibi Netanyahu, he’s a bad guy,” said Biden privately, according to Woodward. “He’s a bad f*****g guy!”
Pictured: Smoke billows above ancient city of Tyre, southern Lebanon
Pictured: Aftermath of Hezbollah rocket fire in Haifa
Pictured: Commercial plane takes off as smoke billows across the Beirut skyline
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