Reports say Mohammed Afif, who was the media chief of Hezbollah, died after an Israeli airstrike hit central Beirut. Lebanese security sources shared this information.
The strike happened at the headquarters of the Lebanese branch of the Syrian Baath political party in Ras al-Naba, a busy neighborhood, according to Lebanon’s state news agency. The BBC reported that this area is heavily populated, making the situation even more alarming.
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed one death but didn’t release the victim’s name. Reuters and AFP, however, confirmed Afif’s death, citing Lebanese sources, while the Associated Press said a Hezbollah official also confirmed it.
This is a big loss for Hezbollah since Afif was one of their public figures. The BBC noted that he last appeared publicly just last Monday during a press conference.
The BBC added that the strike destroyed most of the Baath Party headquarters, and rescue teams worked hard to save those trapped in the rubble. Three other people were injured, according to the health ministry. The party is closely connected to Hezbollah and Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad.
BBC’s Middle East correspondent Lina Sinjab explained that this strike raises fears of Israel broadening its attacks beyond Hezbollah’s military, targeting political and civilian areas too. This shows no signs of calming the conflict, BBC reported, as tensions are rising even further.
Later the same day, another strike in a different part of Beirut, Mar Elias Street, killed two people and injured 13, said Lebanon’s health ministry.
Photos showed firefighters battling flames at the scene. The BBC reported that these attacks are part of a larger Israeli campaign, which has intensified recently, targeting Hezbollah amid calls for a ceasefire led by the US.
Israel said these strikes are aimed at weakening Hezbollah, especially after increased rocket attacks from the group following Hamas’s assault on Israel last month.
The BBC highlighted that over 3,400 people have died in Lebanon since the Israeli campaign began, with many more displaced, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2ndzpwllxo