Hezbollah appoints new leader after Nasrallah’s assassination

Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group has appointed Naim Kassem as the new leader following the death of Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month.

Kassem, previously Nasrallah’s longtime deputy, has acted as the group’s leader since Nasrallah’s death, with his official appointment confirmed on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, an Israeli strike in northern Gaza targeted a five-story building sheltering displaced Palestinians, killing at least 34 people, over half of whom were women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Emergency services reported an additional 20 people were wounded in the strike in Beit Lahiya, near the Israeli border.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has conducted operations in the area for more than three weeks, focusing on Hamas militants it says have regrouped there.

The victims reportedly included a mother and her five children, as well as another mother and her six children.

Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, stated the facility was overwhelmed with casualties from the strike.

The hospital was raided by Israeli forces over the weekend, during which several medics were detained.

Israel’s military claims to target militants precisely to avoid civilian casualties, although strikes in recent months have often resulted in the deaths of women and children.

In a recent operation, the military detained Hamas members at Kamal Adwan Hospital, adding to a series of raids on medical facilities.

Israeli operations in northern Gaza, particularly in the Jabaliya refugee camp, have resulted in hundreds of deaths and large-scale displacement of civilians.

Amid these events, Israel has significantly restricted aid to Gaza’s north, drawing a warning from the United States about potential reductions in military aid if humanitarian access is not improved.

Palestinian fears of a proposed evacuation plan are rising. While Israel’s military denies any intent to carry out such a plan, its government has yet to clarify its stance.

On Monday, Israel’s parliament passed laws potentially limiting the operations of UNRWA, the United Nations agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees, amid claims of Hamas involvement—an accusation UNRWA denies.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting around 250.

Local authorities report that over 43,000 Palestinians have since died, with 90% of Gaza’s population displaced.

About Hezbollah

Hezbollah, meaning “Party of God” in Arabic, is a Lebanese Shia Islamist organization founded in 1982.

Its primary objectives are to defend Lebanon’s Shia population and promote Islamic values.

With Iranian support, Hezbollah emerged during the Lebanese Civil War to resist Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon.

The organization has evolved into a potent military force, with an estimated 50,000-100,000 fighters and missile capabilities, and holds significant political influence in Lebanon’s parliament and government.

Hezbollah’s involvement in regional conflicts, such as the Syrian Civil War and Yemeni Civil War, has drawn international criticism.

Designated as a terrorist organization by the US, EU, and other countries, Hezbollah’s alleged involvement in international terrorism has sparked controversy.

Despite this, the organization provides social services, education, and healthcare to Shia communities in Lebanon and engages in disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.

Hezbollah’s complex role in the region raises questions about its legitimacy as a political entity and its impact on regional stability.

Its relationships with Iran, Syria, and Russia further complicate its position in the global arena.

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