Israel has claimed responsibility for the killing of Hashem Safieddine, who was presumed to be a successor to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) accused Safieddine of directing terrorist attacks against the State of Israel, being a key decision-maker within Hezbollah. They asserted that his elimination would significantly impact the group’s operational capabilities.
They characterized the airstrike that killed Safieddine, which took place in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut on October 3, 2024, as part of their military campaign to degrade Hezbollah’s influence and retaliate against ongoing hostilities from the group.
Just a week ago, on October 14, Israeli forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, leading to widespread hopes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would declare victory and negotiate a ceasefire. However, Netanyahu vowed to continue military operations a week later, leaving many questioning his ultimate objectives.
Netanyahu, who celebrated his 75th birthday on October 21, is currently steering Israel through its longest-ever war amid growing pressure from international allies and domestic protests.
In response to his military campaign, he stated that the killing of Nasrallah was “a necessary step” to alter “the balance of power in the region for years to come.”
After, Iranian forces launched a massive ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1. Netanyahu promised retaliation, but three weeks later, the world remains uncertain about Israel’s next move. While the United States and other allies have urged restraint, Netanyahu has publicly indicated a desire to eliminate Iran’s proxies, specifically targeting Hamas and Hezbollah.
Demonstrators took to the streets of Tel Aviv on October 19, demanding an immediate ceasefire. Aviv Bushinsky, a former Netanyahu adviser and political analyst, explained the political implications of the ongoing conflict, stating, “If Netanyahu is not able to release any more hostages… people will start questioning the decision to kill Sinwar.”
Meanwhile, 101 hostages remain in Gaza, their fate critical to Netanyahu’s legacy.
In northern Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted multiple operations, claiming to combat Hamas’s resurgence despite previous withdrawals from the area. As of now, northern Gaza remains one of the conflict’s epicenters, with civilians suffering immense hardships.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to retaliate against Israeli strikes. Notably, a drone launched from Lebanon struck Netanyahu’s beach house in Caesarea, approximately 50 miles from the border, on October 21.
Over the past year, thousands of rockets and drones have been launched at Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 59 individuals in northern Israel.
In a recent meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Netanyahu described their discussions as “friendly and productive.” Blinken urged Israeli leaders to leverage the current situation to end hostilities and ensure the release of hostages. He also called for increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
The conflict has led to severe casualties in Lebanon, with at least 2,464 Lebanese reported dead and nearly 12,000 injured.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon recently killed 18 people, including four children, while targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah.
As the situation evolves, the chance for a ceasefire remains uncertain, with domestic and international pressure mounting for a resolution.
Political scientist Gayil Talshir noted, “Ending the Gaza war and the Lebanon war is not an option for his political partners in the coalition. They want to go all the way.”
