Israeli army says it killed Hezbollah intelligence commander in Beirut strike

12:46

The Israeli army announced that it killed a senior Hezbollah intelligence commander in an overnight strike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, marking another escalation in ongoing regional hostilities.

According to an official military statement, the target was Hussein Makled, described as the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters. The army said the operation was carried out in what it called a “precise strike,” aimed at minimizing broader damage while targeting senior leadership within the group.

The strike reportedly took place in Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese movement that has been engaged in cross-border exchanges with Israel amid wider tensions in the Middle East.

Israeli officials argue that targeting key commanders is part of a broader strategy to weaken Hezbollah’s operational and intelligence capabilities. The military has intensified its operations in recent months, citing security threats along its northern border.

There was no immediate confirmation or response from Hezbollah regarding the reported killing of Hussein Makled.

The development comes at a time of heightened instability across the region, with multiple fronts involving Israel and armed groups aligned with Iran. Analysts warn that strikes in densely populated urban areas such as Beirut risk further escalation, potentially drawing additional actors into the conflict.

International observers continue to call for restraint, as diplomatic efforts struggle to contain a crisis that has already strained security across Lebanon and beyond.