The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah mourned Sunday the loss of a towering figure within the movement, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, a prominent cleric and fighter who was martyred in a treacherous Israeli airstrike on the Chiyah region of the Southern Suburb of Beirut. 

In a statement, Hezbollah said Sheikh Qaouk held numerous organizational responsibilities within the various units of Hezbollah, befitting the trust he bore. 

He was a scholarly figure and a great warrior, consistently present in the arenas of jihad, close to the fighters on the front lines, the statement read, adding that he dedicated his noble life to the fields of struggle, giving, and sacrifice.

Earlier on Monday, Hezbollah also announced the martyrdom of commander Hajj Ali Karaki (Abu al-Fadl) and a group of his comrades alongside Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a brutal Israeli airstrike on the Haret Hreik area in Beirut's Southern Suburb.

Hajj Abu al-Fadl’s legacy stretches back to the early days of the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon in 1982, the Islamic Resistance announced, revealing that he took command of the Islamic Resistance fighters and played a pivotal role in every battle against the Israeli occupation.

His dedication to the path of Resistance culminated in his historic role in the liberation of southern Lebanon in 2000. His courage and leadership shone brightly again during Lebanon's victory in July 2006, when Hezbollah stood firm against the Israeli assault.

Abu al-Fadl was personally and directly responsible for commanding the southern front, overseeing all its axes and units, from October 8, 2023, until his martyrdom.

The Israeli occupation had previously attempted to assassinate Hajj Karaki, but it failed resoundingly when it attacked a civilian residential building under the pretext that he was in it. "The claims of the Zionist enemy regarding the assassination of brother Ali Karaki are false [...] the commander is alive and well, and he was transported to a safe place," Hezbollah said at the time.

The Israeli occupation forces have killed dozens of people in the Southern Suburb of Beirut alleging they were targeting Resistance commanders and Hezbollah "military sites".

Read more: Martyr Sayyed Nasrallah was our first supporter: Resistance Committees

Who was martyr Sheikh Nabil Qaouk

Born in Aabba, South Lebanon, on May 20, 1964, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk played a pivotal role in Hezbollah's leadership, serving as the organizational head for the southern region from 1991 until 2010.

His influence extended further as he held the position of Deputy Head of Hezbollah's Executive Council until 2018. Afterward, he headed the Preventive Security Unit of the Islamic Resistance up until his martyrdom.

Sheikh Qaouk's legacy as a dedicated leader and protector of his people continues to inspire those committed to the resistance, according to Hezbollah's statement.