Hamas Finalizes Selection of New Leader Amid Escalation of Israeli Airstrikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon

Representatives of the Hamas organization have officially confirmed that the process of selecting a new supreme leader has entered a decisive phase. This decision comes at a critical moment when the group's command structures have been decimated as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. The new leader will have to face not only military pressure but also challenges regarding potential ceasefire negotiations and the fate of hostages. Concurrently, the weight of military operations is shifting towards the border with Lebanon. Israeli aviation carried out precise attacks deep into Lebanese territory, striking targets linked to Hezbollah. According to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 10 people were killed in the airstrikes, and among the victims are eight Hezbollah members, including one of the group's higher-ranking field commanders. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun strongly condemned these actions, claiming that Israel is deliberately undermining efforts for regional stabilization. The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has deep roots dating back to the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) and Israel's occupation of the southern part of the country until 2000. The last major war with Hezbollah in 2006 ended in a stalemate, but since then, thanks to Iranian support, the group has become the best-armed non-state force in the world. Intelligence reports suggest that Iranian Pasdaran are intensifying training and logistics for Hezbollah, preparing the formation for a full-scale war against Israel. In response to the attacks, Hezbollah representatives announced that „resistance” remains the only possible choice in the face of aggression.