Israeli strike kills former bodyguard of Hezbollah leader in Syria

An Israeli strike in Syria on Tuesday killed Yasser Nemr Qranbish, a former personal bodyguard of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to an official from the Lebanese militant group. The news follows reports from a war monitor and pro-government radio Sham FM about an Israeli drone strike on a car near the Syria-Lebanon border.

The Britain-based pro-opposition war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that two Hezbollah members were killed in the strike, while a Syrian driver was critically wounded. Neither Syrian authorities nor the Israeli military have commented on the incident.

Hezbollah identified Qranbish but did not disclose specific details of his death, a common practice for combatants who aren’t in leadership roles. On social media, supporters mourned his death, referring to him as the “shield of the Sayyed” in reference to his role as Nasrallah’s bodyguard.

Since October, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of over 450 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters, and more than 80 civilians and non-combatants. On the Israeli side, 17 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed since the war in Gaza began, displacing tens of thousands on both sides of the border.

Israel has frequently targeted Iran-linked sites in Syria but rarely acknowledges these strikes. The conflict has intensified over the past five months, with increased Israeli airstrikes and ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the Lebanon-Israel border.

Hezbollah launched rockets on northern Israel following a Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, leading to limited clashes along the border. The situation has escalated, with Hezbollah using new weapons and Israel striking deeper into Lebanon. Hezbollah states that its attacks will cease once there is a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.