Israel knocks some more names off the list of Iran proxy terrorists.

The head of Hezbollah in Lebanon met a predictable end during an Israeli airstrike on the organization’s headquarters. Though deep in a bunker beneath a high-rise apartment – a typical routine used to shield Hezbollah terrorists – on Friday, September 27, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) obliterated the group’s underground central command headquarters with a massive airstrike reported to have destroyed six residential buildings in all.

Hezbollah’s Top Leader Nasrallah Gone

Several other Hezbollah leaders were killed as well. In its breaking story, “Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Airstrike,” Liberty Nation News reported: “Hezbollah has confirmed that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The IDF announced that the Hezbollah leader was killed in an airstrike on Friday, and the Lebanese group admitted as much Saturday morning.” The elimination of Secretary General Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than 30 years, was another operation in the IDF’s campaign to destroy the terrorist organization’s leadership.

The Associated Press confirmed six people were killed in the IDF attack, including “Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and other commanders were also killed, the Israeli military said.” Though not the primary target, Iran confirmed on September 28 that one of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) generals, Abbas Nilforushan, died in the same airstrike. The US had sanctioned Nilforushan for his terrorist activities, but the IDF made those sanctions more permanent. Another airstrike, carried out on Saturday and announced just this morning, reportedly killed Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Command. He had also served as the organization’s military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010.

Israel’s campaign to disrupt Hezbollah’s capability to attack from the North along the border began on September 17 with the unconventional warfare approach of targeted exploding pagers and walkie-talkies. Nearly 3,000 Hezbollah foot soldiers and leaders were killed or injured and out of action. The exploding communications devices ranging across Lebanon and Syria were followed by airstrikes on regional headquarters, munitions storage facilities, as well as missile and rocket launching sites.

The IDF’s decapitation of the Hezbollah leadership campaign has continued at a workman-like pace. The Institute for the Study of War explained:

“The IDF reported that its Sep. 24 airstrike, which killed Hezbollah’s Rocket and Missile Unit Commander Ibrahim Muhammad Qabisi, also killed Qabisi’s deputy Abbas Sharafeddine and a senior commander from Hezbollah’s missile division, Hussein Ezzeddine. Ezzeddine was reportedly close to the former top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, who Israel killed in late July. The IDF has conducted several major airstrikes in recent days targeting senior Hezbollah commanders and their communication networks.”

As the IDF’s operations to degrade Hezbollah’s capability to attack Israeli communities south of the Lebanon border continue, targeting the leadership may turn out to be like cutting the head off the mythological hydra; two heads grew back. Regardless of whether two Hezbollah fighters emerge to replace each fallen leader, they may not be as enthusiastic in their duties. The assurance of a short tour in a position of importance may prompt more caution than bravado.

No Indication Iran Is Planning to Escalate Conflict

Fears that the IDF’s actions would escalate regional tensions into a full-scale war have not materialized. Nonetheless, as one would anticipate learning of the IDF airstrike, the US Department of Defense quickly informed the Pentagon press corps: “[W]e were not given an advanced warning of this operation. The secretary spoke with Minister Gallant when the operation was already underway. Having no involvement, having no knowledge that this strike was actually going to occur …”

The reluctance of the US to be proactive in engaging Iran’s proxies in the Middle East could account for Israel taking out terrorist leaders over the last two weeks that the US has been unable or unwilling to eliminate for years or, in some cases, decades. Whatever fears America has about Iran responding by starting a broader war, it’s important to remember Israel’s capability to reach out and touch its enemies is not limited to Iranian-supported Hezbollah and Hamas. The Tehran leadership may be jihadist fanatics, but they’ve shown no evidence of being stupid.

Israel has demonstrated that it intends to deal harshly with enemies on its borders. So far, the IDF has been successful. How long it will take for Hezbollah to replace Nasrallah is not clear. Decision-making and delegation of authorities, along with command and control within the Hezbollah organization, have been disrupted for the moment. If the rocket and missile attacks on Israel resume, expect more culling of the Hezbollah hierarchy. That includes Iran’s IRGC generals who want to meet with Hezbollah in person. ZOOM calls are less dangerous.

The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.