Hezbollah has declared a new phase of war against Israel following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The escalation comes after Sinwar, believed to be behind the 7 October attack on Israel, was targeted and eliminated by Israeli forces in Gaza. Video footage released by the Israeli military showed Sinwar sitting in a damaged building in Gaza before his death.
International leaders suggested that Sinwar’s killing could provide an opportunity for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease hostilities, but Netanyahu insisted that the assaults would persist until hostages abducted by Hamas in 2023 were returned. In a recorded statement, he proclaimed, “Today we have settled the score. Today evil has been dealt a blow, but our task has still not been completed.”
Hezbollah, which has been supporting Hamas by launching missiles into Israel since last October, retaliated after Sinwar’s death by announcing a move to a new phase of confrontation with Israel. The group stated that its fighters have now utilised new precision-guided missiles and explosive drones for the first time in engagements against Israel.
In response to the ongoing conflict, Israel initiated a ground campaign in Lebanon at the beginning of the month and is preparing for a counteraction against Iran. Tensions escalated further as Iran fired approximately 200 missiles at Israel, bypassing the Iron Dome defence system. Israeli airstrikes and the ground offensive have resulted in the deaths of over 2,300 individuals in Lebanon, with a significant number occurring in the past month. The continuous fighting has displaced around 1.2 million people in Lebanon, including 400,000 children.
Iran praised Sinwar’s martyrdom, stating that it would strengthen the spirit of resistance against occupation and aggression. The Iranian mission to the UN expressed that Sinwar’s sacrifice would inspire future generations to continue the fight for the liberation of Palestine. As the conflict intensifies, both Hezbollah and Israel are gearing up for what could be a prolonged and destructive phase of warfare in the region.