Hezbollah Commander's Death in Israeli Strike Raises Concerns of Escalating Conflict

A Lebanese security source informed CNN on Monday that a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in a drone strike on his car in southern Lebanon, raising concerns about a potential broader regional conflict. The official, Wissam Tawil, is the highest-ranking member of the Shiite militant group to be killed in an Israeli strike since the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8, following a deadly terror attack by Hamas in Israel.

Hezbollah issued a statement acknowledging the death of Tawil, also known as Hajj Jawad, in an Israeli attack. The group released photos of him with other high-ranking Hezbollah officials and Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran's elite overseas operations unit who was killed in a US airstrike four years ago, suggesting Tawil's significance. CNN has contacted the Israel Defense Forces for a response.

The recent killing of Tawil comes shortly after the death of Saleh Al-Arouri, the deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, and three others in a strike on an office building in Beirut, the Lebanese capital. Israel has not yet taken responsibility for the attack. More information will be provided as the story develops.