An Israeli airstrike targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday night, reportedly aimed at a senior Hezbollah commander.
The attack resulted in civilian casualties and raised fears of a wider conflict in the region.
The Israeli military claimed to have killed Fuad Shukr, described as Hezbollah’s most senior military commander and head of its strategic unit. Shukr was reportedly a close adviser to the armed group’s head Hassan Nasrallah, and allegedly responsible for directing attacks on Israel since October 8.
Hezbollah commander injured, civilian deaths reported
However, Hezbollah sources contested this claim, stating that Shukr survived the attack, according to media reports. The conflicting reports add to the uncertainty surrounding the operation’s outcome.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that three civilians, including two children, were killed in the strike, with 74 others injured. It also added that search efforts for missing persons under the rubble were ongoing.
The airstrike, which occurred around 7:40 p.m. local time, targeted an area near Hezbollah’s Shura Council in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood. Eyewitnesses reported a loud blast and a plume of smoke rising above the southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold.
This attack comes in the wake of heightened tensions following a strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed a dozen children over the weekend. While Israel and the United States have blamed Hezbollah for that attack, the group has denied responsibility.
The Golan Heights attack sparked stark travel warnings to Lebanon from the US, UK, India, Australia, and more. It also led to flight suspensions and cancellations on Monday as concerns mounted of a potentially serious escalation.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a post on X that Hezbollah had “crossed the red line,” suggesting that this airstrike was a retaliatory measure.
The incident has raised concerns about a potential escalation of conflict in the region, with Beirut having been on edge for days in anticipation of an Israeli response.
The Tuesday night airstrike marked the second instance of an attack on Beirut since the onset of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began on October 8, coinciding with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
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