Hezbollah Media Chief Killed in Israeli Strike in Beirut

Mohammed Afif, identified as Hezbollah’s media chief, has died in an Israeli strike that occurred in central Beirut, as confirmed by the Lebanese militant organization. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that a strike impacted the headquarters of the Baath political party in the Ras al-Naba neighborhood, a densely populated area, on Sunday. The nation’s health ministry stated that four individuals lost their lives, though their identities were not disclosed. Afif, recognized as one of the group’s few remaining public figures, had last appeared on Monday, delivering a press conference in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the group’s operational base. Hezbollah officially confirmed his death on Sunday evening, several hours following initial reports. The National News Agency indicated that the strike largely destroyed the headquarters of the Lebanese branch of the Syrian Baath party, prompting rescue and civil defense teams to assist individuals caught beneath the debris. The health ministry also reported 14 injuries in addition to the four fatalities. The Lebanese Baath Party functions as a branch of the Syrian Baath Party, led by President Bashar Al-Assad, and maintains a long-standing alliance with Hezbollah. Its headquarters in Lebanon are situated near a bustling central intersection that links western and eastern Beirut with the city center and the airport road, which extends through the southern suburbs. Lina Sinjab, a BBC Middle East correspondent, commented that this incident generated apprehension that Israel might be extending its attacks beyond Hezbollah’s military officials. Hezbollah also operates as a political party, holding parliamentary representation and ministerial positions within the government. Sinjab stated to BBC’s news channel, “That is really sending alarm to people, that there are no signs of de-escalating this situation or finding a solution, but rather further escalation and widening Israeli targets against Hezbollah in Lebanon.” Later on Sunday, a separate strike on Mar Elias Street in central Beirut resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 13 others, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The BBC has contacted the IDF regarding this second strike in central Beirut. Earlier on Sunday, the IDF had announced it carried out strikes against six Hezbollah military targets located in the southern suburbs. Over the past week, the Israeli military has escalated its attacks on Beirut, coinciding with renewed US-led initiatives for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Israel had previously killed Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, along with other high-ranking commanders and senior officials, in Beirut strikes in late September, when Israel initiated an offensive against the Iran-backed organization. Israel stated its objective was to facilitate the return of tens of thousands of displaced residents to the country’s northern region, nearly a year after Hezbollah increased rocket attacks in solidarity with Palestinians following Hamas’s assault on Israel on 7 October 2023. Since that time, over 3,400 individuals have died in Lebanon, with at least 2,600 of these fatalities occurring since Israel commenced an intense air campaign, followed by a ground invasion in the south, in late September, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Additionally, 1.2 million people have been displaced. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.