International
Hezbollah Media Chief, Mohammed Afif Killed In Israeli Airstrike On Beirut
Hezbollah’s media chief, Mohammed Afif, has been confirmed dead following an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, according to the Lebanese militant group.
The attack targeted the headquarters of the Lebanese Baath Party in the densely populated Ras al-Naba neighborhood on Sunday, as reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The country’s health ministry stated that four individuals were killed in the strike, though it initially withheld the names of the victims.
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Afif, one of Hezbollah’s prominent public figures, had last appeared at a press conference on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where the group is headquartered. His death was officially announced by Hezbollah several hours after the incident was first reported.
The strike severely damaged the headquarters of the Lebanese branch of the Syrian Baath Party, an ally of Hezbollah, leaving multiple individuals trapped under rubble. Rescue and civil defence teams responded swiftly, with the health ministry reporting 14 injuries in addition to the fatalities.
The Lebanese Baath Party, historically aligned with Syria’s Baath Party led by President Bashar Al-Assad, has its headquarters situated at a busy intersection linking various parts of Beirut, including the airport road passing through Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.
This development has sparked heightened concerns about a broadening of Israel’s military campaign. Analysts warn that the targeting of a political ally of Hezbollah signals an escalation, potentially extending beyond strictly military figures. Hezbollah, which operates both as a militant group and a political party with representatives in Lebanon’s parliament, views this as an expansion of Israel’s scope of operations.
On the same day, another airstrike hit Mar Elias Street in central Beirut, killing two people and wounding 13, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced attacks on six Hezbollah military sites in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
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The escalation comes amid increased Israeli strikes on Lebanon as the United States continues to push for a ceasefire. In late September, Israel launched an extensive offensive against Hezbollah, targeting senior commanders, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Since the start of the intensified conflict in September, more than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon, with over 2,600 fatalities recorded during Israel’s air and ground campaign. The Lebanese health ministry also reports that 1.2 million residents have been displaced amidst ongoing hostilities.
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