Israel launched a targeted strike in Beirut, Lebanon, aimed at a senior Hezbollah commander.
This operation was in response to the recent deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which Israel attributes to Hezbollah.
The strike has resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries, with several victims being taken to nearby hospitals, some in critical condition, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA.
The attack was immediately followed by a statement from Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, who declared on social media that Hezbollah had “crossed the red line.”
This sentiment was echoed by Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who cryptically posted on his official social media account that “every dog shall have his day.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took responsibility for the strike, stating that the targeted commander was responsible for the murder of children in Majdal Shams and numerous other Israeli civilians.
The IDF withheld specific details about the mechanics of the strike. However, NNA reported that the operation was executed by a drone that fired three missiles into the southern suburbs of Beirut, an area known to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
Shortly after the attack, Hezbollah-run Al Manar TV reported a loud explosion in the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut. This part of the city is a well-known base for the Iran-backed militant group.
Footage captured by Reuters revealed the chaotic aftermath of the strike, showing emergency responders and residents navigating streets littered with rubble, bricks, and other debris.
Numerous vehicles parked along the streets were visibly damaged by falling debris from nearby buildings.
Additional footage obtained by CNN depicted large plumes of smoke billowing from the strike zone, showing the severe impact of the attack.
The recent hostilities trace back to a violent incident earlier in the week, when a rocket attack on a soccer field in Majdal Shams killed 12 children and injured 44 others. This attack, which Israel attributes to Hezbollah, has significantly heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. In the wake of the attack, Israel pledged that Hezbollah would “pay the price” for the rocket strike.
Amid the escalating tensions, a source revealed that Israel had informed the United States prior to executing the Beirut strike.
The heads-up was reportedly conveyed through established security channels, although the precise timing of the notification remains undisclosed.
