BEIRUT − On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut resulted in the death of a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, raising alarms about the potential for a wider conflict in the Middle East as rocket exchanges escalated between both sides.

The Israeli military confirmed that the airstrike targeted Ibrahim Qubaisi, identified as the leader of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket division. According to Lebanese security sources, he played a significant role in the Iranian-backed group’s rocket operations.

Following the strike, Israel’s air force reported “extensive attacks” on Hezbollah positions throughout southern Lebanon, targeting arms storage sites and numerous missile launchers aimed at Israel.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “Hezbollah is no longer the same entity it was just a week ago.” He highlighted the substantial damage inflicted on its leadership and combat capabilities, asserting that further attacks would ensue.

“These are significant losses,” Gallant mentioned to Israeli forces.

Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad reported to Al Jazeera Mubasher TV that since the start of heavy Israeli strikes on Monday, at least 569 people have died and 1,835 have been injured, including 50 children.

In response, Hezbollah reportedly fired rockets at the Dado military base in northern Israel on Tuesday and conducted drone strikes on the Atlit naval base south of Haifa, among other targets. The Israeli military confirmed that alerts were triggered in the northern city of Safed and surrounding areas but did not confirm whether the base was struck.

The escalation against Hezbollah by Israel raises concerns that nearly a year of conflict with the militant group Hamas in Gaza could destabilize the entire region.

At the U.N., President Joe Biden attempted to ease rising tensions in the Middle East, stating that “a full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest; although the situation has worsened, there remains a chance for a diplomatic resolution,” during a speech to the U.N. General Assembly.

With Hezbollah firing rockets into Israeli territory in solidarity with Hamas, Israel is refocusing its attention from Gaza to its northern border.

Israel aims to fortify its northern border and enable displaced individuals to return, which has indicated the possibility of a prolonged conflict, while Hezbollah maintains that it will continue its efforts until a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved.

Meanwhile, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon expressed a willingness to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions in Lebanon. “We do not wish to initiate a ground invasion. A diplomatic approach is preferable,” he told reporters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the citizens of Lebanon to turn away from Hezbollah’s leadership.

“Our fight is not against you; it is against Hezbollah. Nasrallah is leading you towards disaster,” Netanyahu stated at an Israeli military base.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of storing weapons in residential areas and villages within Lebanon, a claim that the Hezbollah group denies.

A ‘very difficult’ war

Israeli forces targeted Hezbollah’s areas in Beirut for the second day in a row. The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least six were killed and 15 injured when a building in the Ghobeiry district was struck.

According to Lebanese Environment Minister Nasser Yassin, 27,000 individuals have been recorded as displaced due to the Israeli bombings that began Monday.

Rima Ali Chahine, a 50-year-old woman seeking refuge at an improvised shelter in a Beirut college, described the situation: “It feels as though we are participating in a very challenging war.” She noted that many families are left stranded on roads for extended periods, sometimes 15 or 16 hours.

The high number of casualties and the intensity of the assaults have caused considerable anxiety in Lebanon, though many people recall the devastating war with Israel in 2006 and show resolve.

“We are waiting for victory, with God’s help, because having Israel as a neighbor means we can’t live peacefully,” remarked Hassan Omar, a resident of Beirut.

Push for diplomatic solutions

As the conflict intensifies, calls for diplomatic solutions are increasing. UN human rights chief Volker Turk has urged nations and influential parties to prevent further escalation in Lebanon.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated in an MSNBC interview that he believes there is “a feasible path” toward de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution.

The ongoing hostilities have fueled concerns that the United States, a close ally of Israel, and Iran, a regional power with proxies across the Middle East including Hezbollah, could find themselves embroiled in a larger conflict.

Hezbollah endured significant setbacks last week when numerous communication devices used by its members malfunctioned and exploded.

This incident has been largely attributed to Israel, which has a history of executing sophisticated operations abroad, though it has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.