File photo: Smoke rises after an explosion occurred in Dahieh region of Beirut, Lebanon on January 02, 2024. (Photo by Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Israel has carried out an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb, an area of the Lebanese capital with heavy Hezbollah political presence, in an attempt to take out a yet unnamed Hezbollah senior figure, although reports suggested the target may be Fuad Shukr, a senior figure in the Lebanese militant group
The Israeli army “carried out a targeted strike in Beirut, on the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians,” a post by the Israeli military claimed on X, formerly Twitter.
“At the moment, there are no changes in the Home Front Command defensive guidelines,” it added, in reference to mobilisation within Israel.
Security sources confirmed to The New Arab’s Arabic sister edition that a strike took place in Dahieh, Beirut’s southern suburb, with ambulances rushing to the scene.
One woman was confirmed killed and several injured according to the National News Agency of Lebanon. The death toll could rise as footage on social media showed extensive damage to a building and vehicles nearby in a busy residential street.
Hezbollah sources quoted by The New Arab’s affiliated Al-Araby TV confirmed an attempt on a Hezbollah figure but did not confirm them hit and did not name them.
The Lebanese National News Agency said the strike was carried out by an Israeli drone that fired three rockets into the city block.
While the target of the strike has not been confirmed, the name Fuad Shukr was widely circulated by Lebanese and Israeli media. Fuad Shukr is a US-sanctioned Hezbollah senior advisor to chief Hassan Nasrallah. He is alleged to be linked to the bombing of the US embassy and marine barracks in Beirut in 1983.
Lebanon had been anticipating an Israeli strike after an attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan killed 12 youths at the weekend.
Israel and the US have blamed Hezbollah for the rocket strike, though the group has denied responsibility.
This is a developing story
