Following the death of Hassan Lakkis, the destruction of Syria will undoubtedly continue. (Rami Alhames/Flickr)

Hezbollah, an influential Lebanese Shia militant group, blamed Israel for his death, although Israel denies any involvement. 

Thousands turned out for Lakkis’ funeral parade, despite little being known about the man publicly. This is often the case with senior Hezbollah figures, however, and we can expect to learn more about Lakkis’ significance in the coming days.

What is known is that Lakkis was believed to help coordinate Palestinian militants in the West ank and Gaza, as well as being a weapons expert. 

Dr. Ronen Bergman, a writer on intelligence affairs for an Israeli newspaper, told the BBC that Lakkis “became known in Hezbollah as the guy in charge of manufacturing sophisticated weaponry, explosives, booby traps…Hassan was the leading figure who received Iranian guidance, he studied in Iran he issues of micro warfare, terrorism, counter-terrorism, and he brought this knowledge with him to Hezbollah, so he was one of these channels through which Iranians gave Hezbollah their assistance.”

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Hezbollah released a statement following Lakkis’ death saying that Lakkis was killed as he returned home near midnight. Neighbors indicated that as Lakkis was exciting his car he was shot multiple times with silenced weapons by attackers lying in wait. The same attackers were then seen running across an open space nearby before disappearing into the night. 

Israel released a statement saying “These automatic accusations are an innate reflex with Hezbollah…they don’t need evidence, they don’t need facts. They just blame everything on Israel.”

Lakkis’ death will certainly not spell an end to the violence, and likely will only inflame an already dangerously incendiary situation in the middle east.

As Syria continues to tear itself asunder, an angered Hezbollah will undoubtedly redouble it’s efforts in support of embattled Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. 

Read more at the BBC.

Reach Executive Producer Christopher Coppock by email.