Hezbollah’s media chief, Mohammed Afif, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck the headquarters of the Lebanese Baath Party in central Beirut on Sunday.
The attack, which targeted the Baath Party office in the densely populated Ras al-Naba neighborhood, led to the deaths of at least four individuals, as reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. Additionally, the Lebanese health ministry confirmed that 14 others were injured in the airstrike, although the identities of the casualties remain undisclosed.
Rescue teams and civil defense units quickly mobilized to assist victims, working tirelessly to extract individuals who had been trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed building. Afif, a well-known and influential figure within Hezbollah, was one of the few senior members of the group still appearing publicly. His last appearance was on November 11th, when he participated in a press conference in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Hours after reports of his death emerged, Hezbollah officially confirmed his passing.
The Baath Party headquarters, a key ally of both Hezbollah and the Syrian government, sustained significant damage from the strike. The location of the building near a busy intersection, which connects major parts of Beirut, has raised concerns about the possibility of further Israeli escalation in the region.
On the same day, another Israeli airstrike in the Mar Elias area of central Beirut claimed the lives of two people and wounded 13 others. Fires broke out in the building that was hit, and the Lebanese health ministry provided the toll, though the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not commented on this specific attack.
These airstrikes are part of a broader Israeli campaign targeting Hezbollah, which has escalated in recent months. Last month, Israeli strikes in Beirut also killed several senior Hezbollah commanders, including the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The attacks are seen as part of Israel’s intensified efforts to disrupt Hezbollah’s operations and leadership.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has worsened since October 2023, following the escalation of hostilities after Hamas launched attacks on Israel. In Lebanon, the death toll from the violence has exceeded 3,400, with over 1.2 million people displaced due to the fighting. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community has expressed growing concerns over the mounting civilian casualties and the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring regions.
Reports indicate that Israel’s recent military actions are aimed not only at Hezbollah’s military infrastructure but also at weakening the group’s political and public figures. This broader strategy highlights Israel’s intent to undermine Hezbollah’s influence and operations in Lebanon and the wider region.
