Israeli Strikes in Beirut Kill 22, Senior Hezbollah Official Escapes Assassination

Friday 11 October 2024 - 09:35

Israeli airstrikes on Thursday left 22 people dead and over 100 injured in central Beirut, Lebanese authorities reported. The attack came amid a failed Israeli assassination attempt on a high-ranking Hezbollah official, Wafiq Safa, as confirmed by three security sources. Safa, who heads Hezbollah’s liaison and coordination unit, survived the attempt.

The airstrikes targeted a densely populated residential neighborhood in Beirut, an area previously untouched by Israeli military action. One local resident, Ala’a Baydoun, described the moment the strikes hit: “I was praying when the first explosion happened. The second one was much more powerful. The glass and windows shattered in my house. What I saw after was horrifying.”

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that among the victims was a family of eight, including three children who had evacuated from the conflict-ridden south. While Israel has not commented on the incident, Lebanon continues to endure heavy casualties. Over the past year, 2,169 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to Lebanese government data, with a sharp rise in deaths since Israel intensified its military operations in late September.

Hezbollah Conflict Escalates

This latest attack is part of a larger conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which reignited a year ago when Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, joined forces with Hamas at the onset of the Gaza war. The fighting has sharply intensified over recent weeks, with Israeli forces carrying out repeated strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon’s south, and the Bekaa Valley. Several top Hezbollah leaders have been killed in these operations.

The attempt on Safa’s life marked a significant shift in Israel’s targeting strategy. Previously focused on Hezbollah’s military commanders, the move against Safa, who handles both political and security affairs for the group, signals a broader effort to undermine Hezbollah’s leadership structure.

UN Peacekeepers in Danger

Meanwhile, two United Nations peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon were injured when an Israeli tank fired on a watchtower near the U.N.’s main base in Naqoura. The peacekeepers, part of Indonesia's contingent, were lightly injured but are in stable condition.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. peacekeeping chief, warned the Security Council that the safety of more than 10,400 peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon is "increasingly in jeopardy," with operations largely suspended since late September. This escalation coincides with Israel’s intensification of strikes on Hezbollah.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Struggles

The ongoing conflict has prompted growing concerns from the international community, particularly from the United Nations and the United States. Lebanese acting U.N. Ambassador Hadi Hachem emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions, urging the implementation of international resolutions to end the war.

In Washington, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called for de-escalation in both Lebanon and Gaza, stating that a ceasefire was essential to preventing further civilian deaths. However, despite occasional U.S. criticism of Israel over civilian casualties, there has been little shift in policy.

As the situation in the Middle East remains tense, all eyes are on the possibility of further escalation, particularly in response to Israel’s expanding military actions and recent Iranian missile strikes.