Fear of war between Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah grows after Israeli strike kills commander in Lebanon

Tel Aviv — Fear of a possible full-scale war between Israel and the Hamas-allied militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon was stoked Thursday after an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah commander.

Israel said the commander it killed Wednesday, Mohammad Naameh Nasser, was responsible for firing rockets into Israel. Hezbollah — a group which, like Hamas, is backed by Iran but believed to be larger and much better armed — responded with another barrage of rocket fire.

Hezbollah has stepped up its attacks since Israel, which shares its northern border with Lebanon, launched the war in Gaza in response to Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Hezbollah has said it won't stop firing rockets at Israel until there's a cease-fire in Gaza.