Israel Reportedly Eliminates Senior Hamas and Hezbollah Leaders
In less than 24 hours, two senior leaders of Iran-backed terrorist groups were killed. Israel struck Hezbollah’s most senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, on July 30 in Beirut, Lebanon as a response to a July 27 Hezbollah attack that killed 12 Israeli youths. On July 31, Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in a reported strike in Tehran, Iran, although no one has taken credit for it yet. The strikes bring justice to two of the terrorist leaders most guilty for violence against Israelis, ensuing regional turmoil, and, especially in Shukr’s case, numerous American deaths. If both were carried out by Israel, it would reinforce that terrorists who kill Israelis are not safe anywhere and marked a remarkable display of Israel’s military capabilities.
The deaths of the Hamas and Hezbollah leaders might delay ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deals, but they could just as well facilitate an eventual deal, by strengthening Israel’s negotiating position. And, although retaliation from both Hezbollah and Iran is likely, it could very well be muted. It is not Iran’s job to protect Hamas. Moreover, after successful U.S.-led efforts to defend against the massive Iran barrage against Israel on April 13, Tehran’s options for directly striking Israel are limited. Nor is it certain that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is willing to escalate and risk a full-scale war.
To further discourage any major retaliations by Iran or Hezbollah, the United States must make clear that it will stand beside and support Israel, including taking action directly against Iran if need be. The United States should also coordinate defensive plans with Israel and other regional partners, as it did on April 13-14. A trip to Israel and other regional capitals by General Michael E. Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, would send a strong signal of U.S. support at this critical juncture.
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