Israel claims its biggest victory yet against Hezbollah

It is time to stop talking about the Middle East being on the brink of a much more serious war. After the devastating Israeli attack on Lebanon – which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah – it feels as if they’re tumbling over it.

It was a huge series of blasts, according to people who were in Beirut. A friend of mine in the city said it was the most powerful she had heard in any of Lebanon’s wars.

As rescue workers searched among the rubble, Hezbollah remained silent on the fate of their leader – before confirming his death on Saturday afternoon.

It will reinforce Israel’s belief that this is their greatest triumph yet against their great enemy.

They have mobilised more soldiers, and seem to want to pick up the pace. They may even be thinking about a ground incursion into Lebanon.

It is a massively escalatory action. Over the last eleven months there has been an ongoing tit-for-tat between both sides, though with more pressure from the Israelis.

But now they have decided they are going to push.