An Iranian general who promised to “see the bodies of Americans all over the Middle East” has disappeared after an Israeli attack in Lebanon that may also have killed Hezbollah’s supposed new leader.
The dean’s whereabouts. Gen. Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, remains a mystery after Friday’s airstrike in Beirut, The New York Times reported. Some Arab and Israeli media say he died, while other sources reported that he was injured.
Lebanese security forces have also lost contact with Hashem Safi al-Din, a senior local Hezbollah official and the presumed successor to the terrorist group’s recently killed leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Iranian Brig. General Ismail Qaani has not been seen since Friday’s Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon. AFP via Getty Images Friday’s attack in Beirut targeted Hezbollah terrorists, including Hashem Safi al-Din, the presumed successor to the group’s late leader Hassan Nasrallah. Getty Images
Qaani was last seen in Beirut, where he was sent to help the terrorist group recover and regroup after a series of attacks by Israel, unnamed members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard told The Times.
Iranian media said he had not appeared in public since Friday’s attack, and was noticeably absent from a memorial service for Nasrallah. By Saturday, some Israeli and Arab media reported that he had been wounded or killed, but senior Iranian leaders remained silent on the matter.
An Iranian soldier told the newspaper that confusion over Qaani’s fate was causing panic among the forces.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) and General Esmail Qaani attend a memorial service for a previously killed leader. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Iran’s Quds Force provides support to the anti-Israel “axis of resistance,” which consists of regional terrorist organizations including the Palestinian Hamas movement in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Israeli airstrike on Friday was one of a wave of attacks in Lebanon since Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at the Jewish state in retaliation for the assassination of Nasrallah.
As Hezbollah forces seek to regroup, Israel continues its bombardment: On Sunday, it launched its largest modern bombardment yet on targets on the outskirts of Beirut, Reuters reported, lighting up the night with flashes that can be seen at least 20 miles away.
Qaani became the successor to former Jerusalem leader Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the United States in 2020. After assuming the mantle of Soleimani, he was reportedly persistent in his efforts to supply, train, and coordinate regional terrorist groups.
“We tell everyone: Be patient and watch the bodies of Americans all over the Middle East,” he once said on Al Jazeera.
