Israel’s newly appointed Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Sunday that the country has defeated Hezbollah, emphasizing the significance of eliminating the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Nasrallah was killed on September 27 in an Israeli airstrike targeting the Iran-backed organization’s headquarters in southern Beirut. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddine, who was poised to succeed Nasrallah, in a separate strike late last month. “Now it is our job to continue to put pressure in order to bring about the fruits of that victory,” Katz stated during a ceremony at the foreign ministry.
Katz made it clear that Israel has no interest in interfering in Lebanon’s internal politics, noting that “Israel has learned our lessons.” He expressed hope that an international coalition would leverage this opportunity for diplomatic progress, encouraging Lebanon to normalize ties with Israel.
On Sunday, Israeli forces launched new airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, focusing on the neighborhood where Safieddine had been killed. In response, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on northern Israel and claimed responsibility for a drone strike that damaged Netanyahu’s residence.
Israeli strikes on Sunday resulted in the deaths of dozens, including children, in Lebanon and the northern regions of Gaza. The escalating violence drew significant international attention, with many watching for any shifts influenced by the U.S. presidential election and its potential impact on conflicts involving Israel and Iranian-backed groups, Hamas and Hezbollah.
Netanyahu has revealed that he has spoken with Donald Trump three times since Tuesday’s election, noting that they “see eye-to-eye regarding the Iranian threat and all of its components.” Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to meet with Joe Biden on Tuesday.
