Top Hezbollah general killed in “Israeli attack”, tensions between Lebanon and Israel are rising | Israel-Palestine conflict

Wissam al-Tawil died on Monday after a drone attack on his car in the southern Lebanese village of Khirbet Selm, about fifteen kilometers from the border with Israel. The Lebanese security services quickly pointed the finger at Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz claimed responsibility for the attack in a TV interview on ‘Channel 14’. The attack on al-Tawil was part of Israel’s war, Katz said.

Wissam al-Tawil was reportedly a top general in al-Radwan, an elite army within Hezbollah. The unit, which is stationed along Israel’s northern border, wanted to launch an attack on the north of the country before the war. However, the plan was put on hold due to the surprise attack by the Palestinian terror group Hamas.

Lebanese state media shared several photos on Monday showing al-Tawil next to senior figures, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and slain Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. According to sources, al-Tawil is one of the most important Hezbollah commanders killed since the start of the war.

Al-Tawil’s death and Israel’s involvement further increase tensions between Jerusalem and Beirut. Israel has repeatedly emphasized that the ongoing firefights with the Shiite terror group at the border are “unsustainable.” According to experts, the death of the Hezbollah general is “very painful”. “We fear that this will escalate the situation,” said an anonymous source in the Lebanese security services.

Last weekend it became known that the United States is afraid that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will unleash a war against Hezbollah. For this reason, US President Joe Biden has sent his delegates, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to Israel. The US wants to avoid an escalation at all costs, although the death of al-Tawil may now put a stop to that.