BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group Hezbollah, issued a warning on Tuesday, saying that Israel would pay the cost for the killings of senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) members in an attack on the country’s consulate in Damascus, Syria.
In support of its ally Hamas, Hezbollah has engaged Israel in almost daily cross-border fire exchanges since the Gaza War broke out in October. Hezbollah issued a statement saying, “Undoubtedly, this crime will not pass without the enemy receiving punishment and revenge.”
The strike, which targeted the consulate, claimed the lives of seven IRGC members, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Brigadier General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, according to the IRGC.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a total of 11 individuals were killed, including eight Iranians, two Syrians, and one Lebanese, all identified as fighters.
Hezbollah said that Zahedi was “one of the first to back up, sacrifice, and persevere for a long time to establish and promote the work of the resistance (Hezbollah) in Lebanon”.
Hezbollah highlighted Zahedi’s longstanding support for the group’s efforts in Lebanon. The Observatory noted that Zahedi had served as the leader of Iran’s elite Quds Force for Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, and was accompanied by his deputy, aide, and the Quds Force chief of staff for the same regions.
Israel refrained from commenting on the reported attack, while Iranian officials vowed a strong response, heightening concerns of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran’s allies, particularly amidst ongoing conflicts like the Gaza war.
