Lebanon: Hezbollah confirms Fuad Shukr died in Israeli strike

A retaliation from Hezbollah is now almost certain. In the past, the heavily-armed, Iranian-supported group has responded to the killings of senior members by firing barrages of rockets into Israel.

Shortly before Hezbollah’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a televised speech acknowledging that “challenging days lie ahead”.

He added: “Since the strike in Beirut there are threats sounding from all directions. We are prepared for any scenario.”

Early on Wednesday, the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas – which is also backed by Iran – was killed in a attack in the Iranian capital.

Israel has not commented, but it has promised to destroy Hamas following the 7 October attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people.

Fears of a regional war have led to international calls for all sides to show restraint.

There had been regular fighting between Hezbollah and Israel but hostilities have escalated since Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October.

Hezbollah – which supports Hamas – opened up a limited second front in Israel’s north, and the two sides have been exchanging fire ever since.

And while so far they have stopped short of an all-out war, near daily attacks have left communities in Israel and Lebanon devastated.