Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have intensified, with a reported focus on targeting Hashem Safieddine, the potential successor to slain Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Since Friday, Safieddine has been out of contact, raising concerns following an Israeli strike aimed at an underground bunker in Beirut’s southern suburbs, also known as Dahiyeh.
According to Lebanese security sources, ongoing Israeli attacks in Dahiyeh have hindered rescue operations at the strike site. The Israeli military confirmed that its airstrikes on Thursday night targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, further crippling the group’s leadership.
Hezbollah has yet to issue a statement regarding Safieddine’s status, but reports indicate that Israeli strikes have significantly weakened the organization’s hierarchy, contributing to the instability in the region. In a recent escalation, Israel expanded its air campaign to Tripoli, marking the first strike in the northern city amidst ongoing bombings in southern Beirut.
The increased violence follows a year of intermittent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly after significant hostilities in Gaza. Israel claims its military actions aim to ensure the safe return of citizens displaced by Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel.
The humanitarian toll has been steep, with the Israeli air campaign resulting in hundreds of Lebanese casualties and forcing nearly 1.2 million people to flee their homes. Most recently, a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli resulted in the deaths of a Hamas leader and his family.
As the anniversary of Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel approaches, tensions remain high, with Iran launching missiles at Israel in a show of support for Hezbollah and Hamas. The situation continues to evolve, drawing attention from global powers as violence escalates in the region.
