Israel’s military reported the deployment of a fourth army division into southern Lebanon, indicating an escalation of ground offensives against Hezbollah. They also stated that the successor to the Iran-backed group’s recently killed leader seems to have been “eliminated”.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant made this declaration regarding Hashem Safieddine, marking another significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership as Israel expanded its ground operations into southwest Lebanon, venturing into a new area.
While Hezbollah’s deputy leader left room for a negotiated ceasefire, the Israeli military confirmed the arrival of the 146th Division in Lebanon, which is the first reserve division to cross the border.
The military statement did not disclose the exact number of soldiers currently in Lebanon. However, it had previously revealed that three other army divisions were active in the area, suggesting that thousands of soldiers are likely present in Lebanon.
“Yesterday, I spoke with your prime minister,” he stated, “and after that, I conducted several démarches with various entities. I can now confirm that the Israeli tanks and other armed forces around the 6-52 position have departed.”
“I strongly urge both parties to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL,” Mr. Guterres added.
IDF soldiers have positioned themselves near Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon.
A spokesperson for UNIFIL in Lebanon also validated that the IDF had vacated the area close to Irish peacekeepers.
On October 1, the Israeli military announced that ground forces had crossed into Lebanon, initially deploying commando units, followed by regular armored and infantry units. The army maintains that the operation is limited in nature.
Rising tensions in the Middle East, ignited a year ago by an attack from Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel, have recently escalated into a series of intensified Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Smoke can be seen rising after Israeli forces launched an airstrike on southern Beirut.
On October 1, Iran, a backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, launched missiles at Israel.
Iran has cautioned Israel against acting on its threats of retaliation. Its foreign minister stated that any attack on Iran’s infrastructure would face consequences.
Western powers are working towards a diplomatic solution, expressing concerns that the conflict could disrupt the broader, oil-rich Middle East.
The Israeli operations in Lebanon have expanded. The military stated that it is now conducting “limited, localized, targeted operations” in southwest Lebanon, having earlier reported similar activities in the southeast.
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A military spokesperson opted not to disclose the number of troops currently in Lebanon at any given time.
“This is a dynamic operation involving limited, targeted raids which implies movement between various locations with different forces,” Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani informed reporters during a briefing.
TRADING FIRE
Overnight, Israel conducted further airstrikes in southern Beirut, Hezbollah’s headquarters, claiming to have eliminated a key figure responsible for the militia’s budgeting and logistics, Suhail Hussein Husseini — the latest in a series of high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah officials.
In northern Israel, near the Lebanon border, warning sirens frequently sounded as authorities reported that Hezbollah fired nearly 200 rockets into Israeli territory.
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a Lebanese village near Tyre.
Strikes also targeted Haifa, the northern port city, where multiple reports indicated damage to buildings due to missile debris. The Israeli military asserted that it had hit the launchers responsible for firing missiles at Haifa.
The escalating Israeli-Hezbollah conflict has claimed well over 1,000 lives in Lebanon over the past two weeks and resulted in the mass displacement of more than a million people.
Israel’s stated aim is to secure its northern regions against Hezbollah rocket fire and facilitate the return of thousands of displaced residents.
NASRALLAH SUCCESSOR LIKELY ‘ELIMINATED’
Mr. Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah figure, was anticipated to succeed Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of the Shi’ite Muslim movement, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in south Beirut on September 27.
He has not made any public statements since another Israeli airstrike occurred late last week.
“Hezbollah is an organization without leadership. Nasrallah was removed, and his successor has likely also been eliminated,” Mr. Gallant informed officers at the Israeli military’s northern command center during a brief video segment released by the military.
Palestinians carry banners and flags as they protest against Israel’s assaults on Gaza and Beirut in Ramallah.
Mr. Safieddine has been a primary target for Israel, having been cultivated as a significant leader and potential successor to Nasrallah. He has overseen Hezbollah’s political affairs as the head of its executive council and is a member of the Jihad Council that manages military operations.
CEASEFIRE EFFORTS
In a televised address from an undisclosed location, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem expressed support for efforts aimed at securing a truce.
This time, the conclusion of the war in Gaza was not presented as a precondition for halting combat along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Palestinians walk beneath the tilted minaret of a destroyed mosque in Gaza City.
Mr. Qassem indicated Hezbollah’s support for efforts made by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, an ally, to establish a cessation of hostilities.
It remains unclear whether Mr. Qassem’s comments indicate any shift in policy, given that the group has consistently stated its involvement in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and that it would not cease operations without a ceasefire in that region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has declined to comment on Mr. Qassem’s statements.
Mr. Qassem assured that Hezbollah’s capabilities remain intact despite enduring “painful blows” from Israel.
“Dozens of cities fall within the range of our resistance’s missiles. We assure you that our capacities are strong.”
