According to Lebanese sources, an Israeli attack south of Beirut on Monday evening was directed against the Hezbollah commander of the Southern Front.

According to people close to the pro-Iranian militias, the Israeli drone targeted Ali Karakeh, Hezbollah’s third-in-command of the military. The Israeli military recently announced a “targeted attack” in the capital, Beirut.

It was the second time since Friday that the Israeli army had attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut. Among those killed was Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Akil, head of the elite Ratwan unit. Hezbollah said a total of 16 commanders were killed in the attack.

Even before Akil’s killing and the violent exchange of attacks over the weekend, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in Lebanon with hundreds of fighters blasting pagers and walkie-talkies. Hezbollah blames Israel for the bombings. Israel itself has not commented on the author of the explosions, which killed dozens and injured thousands. (APA)