The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed the killing of Suhail Hussein Husseini, the head of Hezbollah’s logistics unit, during a precise airstrike on the outskirts of Beirut on October 7. The air raid, targeting Hezbollah’s operational nerve center, is the latest in Israel’s broader offensive against Iran-backed militant groups across the region.
According to the IDF, Husseini played a pivotal role in the transfer and distribution of advanced weaponry between Hezbollah and its primary backer, Iran. As the commander responsible for logistics, Husseini’s role was instrumental in Hezbollah’s ability to sustain its military operations against Israel and coordinate cross-border attacks from Lebanon and Syria.
The airstrike, conducted under the guidance of Israeli intelligence, has yet to elicit a formal response from Hezbollah, though the group is expected to retaliate amid the intensifying violence between the two sides. The IDF announced Husseini’s death in a post on social media platform X, highlighting the successful elimination of a high-value target in the midst of what they called a “multi-front war” ignited by Hezbollah’s increased hostility towards Israel.
The airstrikes in the Beirut area are part of a broader campaign by Israel to cripple Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Israeli jets struck several other key locations, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, which serve as Hezbollah’s power base. Lebanese state media reported that Israel had issued warnings to residents in the targeted areas, prompting evacuations ahead of the strikes.
The targeted killing of Husseini is seen as a significant blow to Hezbollah’s logistical and operational capabilities. He was not only responsible for the movement of weapons and resources but also managed Hezbollah’s critical war-planning strategies. A report from Times of Israel emphasised Husseini’s involvement in Hezbollah’s most sensitive operations, including covert attacks against Israeli targets.
A Key Hezbollah Commander and His Role in the Group’s Operations
Suhail Hussein Husseini was a senior leader within Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militant and political organization based in Lebanon. Known primarily for his operational expertise, Husseini held a pivotal role in Hezbollah’s military hierarchy, where he was entrusted with some of the group’s most sensitive responsibilities. His death in an Israeli airstrike marks a significant blow to Hezbollah’s logistics and military capabilities.
Husseini’s influence within Hezbollah was immense, particularly in overseeing logistics and budgeting for the organization’s war efforts. As the head of Hezbollah’s logistics unit, he was responsible for the smooth transfer and distribution of weapons, particularly those coming from Iran, Hezbollah’s primary military and financial backer. This role was crucial, as Iran supplied Hezbollah with advanced weaponry, including precision-guided missiles, to maintain its ability to challenge Israel and project power in the region.
His work also extended to ensuring that weapons and resources were distributed to the right factions within Hezbollah. This included managing supplies to units responsible for launching attacks against Israel, either from Lebanon or via proxy forces in Syria. The logistical operations he supervised provided the backbone for Hezbollah’s military operations, enabling the group to maintain its infrastructure and strategic depth despite Israel’s ongoing military pressure.
Husseini was also a key figure in Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, a body responsible for overseeing the group’s operational plans for war. As a high-ranking member, he was involved in crafting the organization’s broader military strategies, including planning and coordinating cross-border attacks. The Jihad Council is one of Hezbollah’s most secretive arms, designed to handle its wartime command, particularly in conflicts with Israel.
In addition to his operational leadership, Husseini headed Hezbollah’s Research and Development Unit. This unit plays a vital role in Hezbollah’s strategic armament, specifically focusing on the production of precision-guided missiles and the storage of advanced weaponry. These precision-guided missiles are among Hezbollah’s most potent weapons, posing a direct threat to Israeli military and civilian targets. Hezbollah’s missile arsenal, bolstered by Iranian technology, has long been viewed as a key element of its deterrent capability against Israel.
Husseini’s role in managing Hezbollah’s logistics and weapons supply chain positioned him as a critical link between Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran has long provided Hezbollah with financial support, weapons, and training, allowing the group to build a formidable paramilitary force that rivals the Lebanese state’s official military.
Through this relationship, Husseini ensured that Hezbollah’s military efforts remained well-resourced and coordinated with Tehran’s broader regional objectives. His position allowed him to oversee Hezbollah’s war preparations, ensuring the group had the logistical support needed for both defensive and offensive operations. This included stockpiling weapons and coordinating attacks against Israeli forces, both directly from southern Lebanon and through Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria’s ongoing civil war.
This development follows a tumultuous period in the West Asia, where tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified, particularly in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israeli soil last year. The unprecedented assault by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of more than 200 hostages, plunged the region into further violence. The Israeli retaliation has reportedly killed over 41,000 people in Gaza and continues to rage on.
Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has been drawn further into the conflict, with frequent rocket attacks on Israeli cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa. Israel has responded with targeted strikes against Hezbollah leadership. According to a report by Times of Israel, Suhail Hussein Husseini was not just a logistical head but also played a critical role in coordinating Hezbollah’s cross-border operations against Israel.
This latest assassination of a senior Hezbollah figure mirrors a previous operation in September when Israel claimed to have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a strike in Beirut. These strikes are part of Israel’s broader strategy to weaken Hezbollah and disrupt its support for Hamas.
As Israel marks the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre, a large memorial gathering took place in Tel Aviv on Monday night, drawing over 374,000 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a defiant speech, vowing to continue Israel’s fight against terrorist organisations until the hostages are returned and the nation’s security is assured.
“As long as the enemy threatens our existence and the peace of our country, we will continue to fight,” Netanyahu said. “As long as our citizens have not returned to their homes safely, we will continue to fight, and united—we will win.”
Messages of solidarity poured in from around the world. US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed deep condolences, calling the October 7 massacre “the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.” She reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel, promising that Hamas would never be allowed to govern Gaza again.
“I will do everything in my power to ensure the threat Hamas poses is eliminated,” Harris said in a press statement. “I will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists like Hamas.”
Meanwhile, Israeli cities continue to face rocket barrages from Hezbollah and Hamas forces, with sirens sounding frequently in areas like Tel Aviv, Galilee, and Haifa. Despite the ongoing conflict, Israel remains resolute in its efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
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