An Israeli airstrike targeted a meeting of senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut, reportedly aimed at Hashem Safieddine, a high-ranking leader within the organization, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Notably, Hashem was known to be the successor of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Is Nasrallah’s successor, Hashem Safieddine targeted?
This strike occurred at midnight on Thursday, marking one of the most significant bombardments in the area in recent months.
Who was Hezbollah’s Hashem Safieddine?
Safieddine, who was designated as a terrorist by both the United States and Saudi Arabia in 2017, serves as a key figure in Hezbollah’s political structure and holds membership in the group’s Jihad Council, which oversees military operations.
He maintains close ties with Iran and has historically acted as a spokesperson for the organization.
Airstrikes by IDF targets Hezbollah base
The Israeli military operation reportedly focused on an underground bunker where senior Hezbollah officials were meeting, sources told The New York Times.
The intensity of the strikes was notable, with explosions felt throughout Beirut’s southern suburbs, causing buildings to shake several kilometres away from the impact sites.
IDF claims to have killed senior leaders of Hezbollah
In a separate development, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed to have eliminated Mohammed Anisi, another senior Hezbollah official allegedly involved in developing precision-guided missiles, in a recent strike on the group’s intelligence branch in Beirut.
No official response by Hezbollah on the latest killing yet
Neither the IDF nor Hezbollah has officially commented on the status of Safieddine following Thursday’s strike. The exact number of casualties from the operation remains unknown.
The US State Department’s 2017 terrorist designation of Safieddine highlighted his instrumental role within Hezbollah’s organizational structure.
As a member of various influential councils within the organization, Safieddine has been central to both political and military decision-making processes.
This latest strike represents a significant escalation in Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah, resulting in multiple casualties and extensive damage in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
