An Israeli airstrike targeting the new leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon may have also killed one of Iran’s top military commanders, according to reports from Middle Eastern media outlets on Saturday.
Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, is believed to have been present during an attack on Hashem Safieddine, who recently took over Hezbollah leadership following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah last month. The strike occurred Thursday night in southern Beirut, a known Hezbollah stronghold.
“If confirmed, the death of Qaani would represent a significant blow to Iran’s military capabilities,” said Dr. Emily Landau, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. “It could also further escalate tensions in an already volatile region.”
Lebanese sources told Sky News Arabia that all contact with Safieddine has been lost since the attack. The Israeli military has not officially confirmed any deaths resulting from the operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking after the Jewish New Year, did not address Qaani’s reported death but stated Israel was fighting on “seven fronts.” He criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel, saying, “Israel will win with or without their support.”
The attack took place in Dahieh, a heavily bombed suburb of Beirut. Lebanese sources report difficulty in assessing casualties due to ongoing drone strikes in the area.
Qaani, 67, succeeded Qassem Soleimani as Quds Force leader in 2020 after Soleimani’s death in a U.S. drone strike. His potential death could significantly impact Iran’s regional strategy and its support for proxy groups like Hezbollah.
As tensions escalate, international leaders are calling for restraint. UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged all sides to “step back from the brink,” warning that further escalation could have far-reaching consequences.
