Today, Saturday, the Lebanese Hezbollah announced its clash with members of an Israeli force that attempted to advance towards the town of Bayyada in southern Lebanon, killing and wounding its members.
The Hezbollah statement pointed out that the clashes were still continuing until the time the statement was issued at 11:50 on Saturday, and it came in successive statements by the Lebanese party about its operations, in which it confirmed: targeting a gathering of Israeli army forces in the Hanita settlement with a missile strike.
Targeting an Israeli army gathering east of the city of Khiam with a missile. For the second time, a gathering of Israeli army forces was targeted east of the city of Khiam with a missile. Targeting a gathering of Israeli army forces at the Deir Mimas-Kafr Kila triangle with a missile salvo.
And targeting the “Avivim” settlement with a missile strike. And targeting the Dishon settlement with a missile strike. Targeting a gathering of Israeli army forces east of Khiam City for the third time with a missile launcher.
Reports of the targeting of Talal Hamiyah, nicknamed “The Ghost,” in Beirut
Israeli media reported that the target of the violent raids on the Basta area in the heart of Beirut at dawn on Saturday was Talal Hamiyah, a senior leader in Hezbollah.
Israeli media reported that Hezbollah appointed Talal Hamiyah as head of operations, succeeding Ibrahim Aqeel, who was assassinated by Israel on September 20.
The American “Rewards for Justice” program had offered a reward of up to $7 million in exchange for providing information about Talal Hamiyah, also known as Ismat Mizrani.
The program said that Talal Hamiyah is the head of Hezbollah’s external security organization, which has organized cells around the world.
According to the program, the External Security Organization constitutes one of the Hezbollah elements responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing terrorist attacks outside Lebanon.
Hezbollah leader Ali Musa Daqduq was killed in an Israeli raid in Syria
In a related context, a senior American defence official said that a senior leader in the Lebanese Hezbollah group, who had helped plan one of the boldest and most complex attacks against American forces during the Iraq War, was killed in an Israeli raid on Syria.
American forces arrested Ali Musa Daqduq, after a raid in 2007, following an operation in which elements posing as an American security team killed five American soldiers. According to the American NBC website, the Iraqi authorities later released him.
The American defence official added, according to what was reported by NBC, that the details of the Israeli air strike are unknown, when it occurred, where it took place in Syria, and whether its target was Daqduq specifically.
The facility was part of a group of facilities known as “Joint Security Stations” in Iraq, where US forces lived and worked with Iraqi police and soldiers. There were more than twenty American soldiers at the scene when the gunmen arrived.
Armed elements surrounded the building and used grenades and explosives to breach the entrance. An American soldier was killed by a grenade explosion. After entering, the gunmen captured two American soldiers inside the building, and two others outside the building, before they quickly escaped in waiting SUVs.
American attack helicopters chased the convoy, prompting the gunmen to abandon their cars and flee on foot. During the escape, they opened fire on the four American soldiers.
Following the attack, American officials suspected that the militants had received direct support from Iran, based on the level of coordination, training, and intelligence needed to carry out the operation.
American forces arrested Daqduq in March 2007. As NBC reports, they proved that the Quds Force, affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, was involved in planning the Karbala attack. During the investigation, Daqduq admitted that the operation was the result of direct support and training from the Quds Force.
The US military detained Daqduq in Iraq for several years, then handed him over to the Iraqi authorities in December 2011.
The American official said: “The Iraqi authorities said they would try Daqduq, but he was released within months, which angered American officials. He returned to work with Hezbollah again shortly after.
Last updated: November 23, 2024 – 16:26
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What are the implications of Hezbollah’s military clashes with Israeli forces for regional stability?
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we bring you the latest updates from around the world. Today, we have an engaging discussion on the recent clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Joining us is Dr. Amir Salim, an expert in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Dr. Salim, thank you for being here today.
Dr. Salim: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time in the region, and I’m glad to discuss these developments.
Editor: We witnessed a significant escalation in tensions over the weekend, with Hezbollah announcing clashes with Israeli forces attempting to advance into southern Lebanon. Can you break down what happened?
Dr. Salim: Certainly. Reports indicate that Hezbollah engaged Israel when Israeli forces tried to move toward the town of Bayyada. This engagement has significant implications, as both sides have started to ramp up military operations in the region. The missile strikes from Hezbollah targeting various Israeli military gatherings demonstrate a clear escalation in their response strategy.
Editor: Hezbollah mentioned several targeted missile strikes, including attacks near Khiam and various settlements. What does this tell us about their military capabilities and strategy?
Dr. Salim: Hezbollah’s ability to launch coordinated missile attacks against multiple Israeli targets shows their preparedness and capability to engage in asymmetric warfare. These strikes indicate that Hezbollah has improved its military infrastructure and intelligence-gathering capabilities, possibly due to support from allies.
Editor: Moving to Talal Hamiyah, who was reportedly targeted in an Israeli air raid in Beirut. Can you elaborate on his significance within Hezbollah?
Dr. Salim: Talal Hamiyah, also known as “The Ghost,” is a prominent figure within Hezbollah, especially in terms of external operations. His recent appointment as head of operations following the assassination of Ibrahim Aqeel is telling of his importance. The U.S. has placed a $7 million bounty on information about him, highlighting how crucial he is to Hezbollah’s global operations and strategic planning.
Editor: This brings us to the broader implications of these leadership changes within Hezbollah. With the recent killing of Ali Musa Daqduq in an Israeli raid in Syria, how does this impact the organization?
Dr. Salim: The killing of Daqduq, who had a notable history with planning attacks against U.S. forces, signifies a blow to Hezbollah’s command structure. His removal might create a power vacuum or provoke retaliatory strategies. Hezbollah will need to adapt quickly to maintain its operational efficiency and morale.
Editor: The cycle of violence often leaves many geopolitical repercussions. What challenges do you foresee in the region in light of these developments?
Dr. Salim: The immediate challenge is the potential for more extensive conflict, especially if both sides continue to escalate. We might see a regional alignment of forces, with Iran supporting Hezbollah against perceived Israeli aggression. Additionally, civilian safety and humanitarian concerns in both Lebanon and Israel will become critical considerations as the conflict progresses.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Salim, for your insights on this complex situation. As we follow these developments, it is essential to keep monitoring how these ongoing clashes shape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
Dr. Salim: Thank you for having me. It’s vital we continue to discuss and highlight these issues as they evolve.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in today. Stay with Time.news for the latest updates on this evolving story and more from around the globe.