Hezbollah commander reported killed by Israeli strike in Syria

(LA Times)- Israel’s military carried out an airstrike in Syria on Sunday that killed seven people, including at least one Hezbollah field commander, according to Lebanese media reports that Israel neither confirmed nor denied.

According to Lebanese security sources quoted in the Daily Star, the fatalities included Jihad Mughniyeh, son of a senior Hezbollah official, Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated in 2008. Another of the dead was reported to be a field commander known as Abu Issa.

If true, the targeting of prominent Hezbollah figures could have significant ramifications for peace in the region.

Earlier, the Lebanese channel al-Mayadeen reported that an Israeli air force helicopter fired two missiles at an unspecified target near the Syrian village of Mazraat al-Amal, in the Quneitra area of the Golan Heights.

Two Israeli reconnaissance aircraft were seen circling the area before the strike that destroyed a Hezbollah vehicle and damaged another, according to reports.

The response from Israel’s military was standard: “The army does not comment on foreign reports.” However, Agence France-Presse quoted an unidentified Israeli security source saying the strike was intended against “terrorists” planning an attack against Israel.

Earlier speculation suggested the strike was intended to thwart rocket fire into Israel.

The Lebanese Daily Star cited a Britain-based Syrian rights group that said the missiles reportedly targeted military vehicles but it was unknown whether these belonged to Hezbollah or insurgents fighting Bashar Assad’s regime.

The reported strike comes only days after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate against Israel for repeated strikes on Syria, where the group is fighting alongside its ally Assad and his government.

Previous strikes in Syria attributed to Israel were believed to target shipments of strategic weapons from Syria to the Lebanese Shiite militia. The most recent such strike was reported last month.

Speaking to the al-Mayadeen outlet, Nasrallah said Hezbollah was stronger than ever and that its arsenal includes Fateh-110 missiles, capable of hitting deep into Israel with a range of 125 miles. Nasrallah said the organization had obtained the weapons after Hezbollah and Israel fought a bloody monthlong war in 2006.

Nasrallah said Hezbollah was ready to fight Israel again, including inside Israeli territory.

Earlier Sunday, a separate incident was reported along Israel’s border with Lebanon. Lebanese soldiers said Israeli soldiers in a military outpost a few dozen yards from the border fired tear gas and smoke grenades across the border toward the Lebanese position. Three Lebanese soldiers required medical treatment.

Israel’s military was looking into the report, a spokesperson said, speaking on traditional condition of anonymity.