Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Kills Hezbollah Media Chief, Mohammad Afif

17/11/2024

BEIRUT, Nov 17: A video captured by a surveillance camera on a building adjacent to the target site showed the dramatic collapse of an 11-storey structure in central Beirut following an Israeli airstrike. The strike reportedly killed Mohammad Afif, Hezbollah’s media relations official, according to two Lebanese security sources speaking to Reuters. Hezbollah has yet to issue an official confirmation of Afif's death.

This strike marks a rare instance of Israel targeting a senior Hezbollah figure without a direct military role. Israeli airstrikes in Beirut have typically focused on the southern suburbs, where Hezbollah maintains its strongest presence.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation, and no prior evacuation warnings were posted on its official X account, which often issues alerts for areas facing imminent strikes.

The incident occurs amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire for over a year. The escalation began after the Iran-backed group launched rockets at Israeli military targets on October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel.