Israel captures another Hezbollah leader, as gunfire erupts near US secretary of state’s hotel

The Israeli military says it has removed a Hezbollah commander who was expected to take control of the terrorist organization.

Israel said it killed Hashem Safieddine, a powerful cleric expected to succeed Hassan Nasrallah, in an air strike earlier this month. The strike also killed 25 senior members of Hezbollah, the Israeli Defense Forces said.

The news comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken wraps up a visit to Israel this week. Blinken spent Tuesday meeting with Israeli officials, and several shots were fired at the hotel where he was staying.

Blinken urged Israeli officials to “use force” over the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to push for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called his meeting with Blinken, which lasted more than two hours, “friendly and productive.”

Blinken will leave Israel later on Wednesday for Saudi Arabia, where he will continue negotiations.

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The Israeli military continued to launch airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and also raided the area where Safieddine was killed on Tuesday.

Flames and smoke rise from an Israeli airstrip in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Hezbollah also fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel. The terrorist group also said that they are proud of the flood attack that damaged Netanyahu’s house.

The strikes come as speculation mounts over how Israel will retaliate Tehran’s Oct. 1 missile attack in Israel.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Tehran’s neighbors will not allow their territory to be used for such an attack and will retaliate severely.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is weighing how to respond to Iran’s October 1 wave of missiles. (OHAD ZWIGENBERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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“All the neighbors have assured us that they will not allow their land and air to be used to fight against Iran,” Araghchi said, according to the IRNA news agency. “This is what is expected of all friendly and neighboring countries, and we take this as a sign of friendship.”

Stephen Sorace of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.