Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Beirut After Senior Commander’s Killing
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Israel launched a series of airstrikes early Friday on Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting what it described as the group’s underground headquarters. The attacks came hours after the assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, sharply escalating tensions in the region.
Residents reported powerful explosions and large fires in the densely populated area, prompting evacuations as smoke rose over the capital’s southern district. The strikes appeared to focus on sites linked to Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, though the extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
The latest confrontation follows a deadly rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people, intensifying fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The exchange has deepened concerns that hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border could spill further into civilian areas.
Israeli officials have framed the operation as a response to Hezbollah activity and recent attacks, while Hezbollah has vowed to respond to Israeli actions. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides under pressure amid mounting regional instability and international calls for restraint.
