Nabil Qaouk (Arabic: نبيل قاووق; 20 May 1964 – 28 September 2024) was a Lebanese cleric and politician who served as the deputy head of Hezbollah's executive council and the commander of Hezbollah's "preventive security unit".[2] He was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).[3][4]
Nabil Qaouk | |
|---|---|
نبيل قاووق | |
.jpg) Qaouk in 2010 | |
| Deputy Head of Hezbollah's Executive Council | |
| In office 2010 – 28 September 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 May 1964[1] Ebba, Lebanon |
| Died | 28 September 2024 (aged 60) Dahieh, Lebanon |
| Manner of death | Assassination by airstrike |
| Political party | Hezbollah |
| Children | 6 |
| Occupation | Politician, cleric |
Biography
Early life and education
Nabil Qaouk was born in the village of Ebba in Lebanon's Nabatieh Governorate. His spiritual studies took place in Qom, Iran, where he was influenced by Shia ideology. His military training in Iran aligned with Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)[5]
Career
Qaouk was one of the top officers of Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, a region that has been a focal point in Hezbollah's confrontations.[3][5][4] He was both a general and deputy head of the executive council, attesting to his influence in both political and military factions of Hezbollah.[4][6]
On 22 October 2020, Qaouk was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This designation implies U.S. government sanctions against him due to alleged involvement in terrorism-related activities.[3][4]
Attacks
During the 2006 Lebanon War, Qaouk's offices in Tyre were targeted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). This activity was part of the Israeli military's broader response to Hezbollah's armed provocations, including the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and the launch of rockets into Israeli territory.[7]
Personal life and death
Qaouk was married and had six children.[5] He was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on 28 September 2024.[8][9][10]
References
- ^ "Counter Terrorism Designations and Designations Updates; Iran-related Designation and Designations Updates; Foreign Interference in U.S. Election Designations; Non-Proliferation Designation Update; Syria Designation Update". Office of Foreign Assets Control. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Mukherjee, Srishti (28 September 2024). "Israel Air Force Suspected To Have Eliminated Vice President Of Hezbollah's Executive Council". NewsX World. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Treasury Targets High-Ranking Hizballah Officials". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "US sanctions 2 senior members of Lebanon's Hezbollah". AP News. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b c Koppel, Ted (21 July 2006). "Gifts for Iran: Look what spreading democracy can do". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ Clancy Chassay in Beirut (19 August 2006). "Stand alongside Hizbullah, Lebanon's army tells troops". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
- ^ "IAF strikes Lebanese army base". Ynet. 27 July 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "Hezbollah confirms a 7th top commander was killed in Israeli strikes in recent days". Associated Press. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Israel-Hamas war latest: Hezbollah confirms the death of another high-ranking official". ABC News. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Israel Eliminates Senior Hezbollah Intelligence Operative In Airstrike In Lebanon's Beirut". News18. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.