Hezbollah confirmed that its media chief, Mohammed Afif, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut on Sunday. The strike targeted the headquarters of the Lebanese branch of the Syrian Baath Party in the densely populated Ras al-Naba neighborhood. According to the Lebanese health ministry, the attack left four dead and 14 others injured. Hezbollah confirmed Afif's death hours later. Afif was last seen yesterday during a press conference in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah is based.
Ras al-Naba destruction
The headquarters of the Baath Party took the brunt of the bombing, destroying much of the multi-story building. Rescue teams and civil defense units rescued people from debris after the strike. The Lebanese Baath Party, a close ally of Hezbollah, is tied to the Syrian Baath Party led by President Bashar al-Assad. Its headquarters are located close to central intersections linking western and eastern Beirut to the airport road, which runs through Hezbollah-dominated suburbs.
Israeli Attacks on Central Beirut
Only a few hours later another Israeli airstrike hit Mar Elias Street in central Beirut, killing two people and injuring 13 others. Earlier in the day, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it launched strikes at six Hezbollah military positions in southern Beirut. According to the Lebanese health ministry, more than 3,400 people have been reported killed since fighting began. At least 2,600 of the fatalities occurred since late September, when Israel launched an intense airstrikes followed by a ground invasion into southern Lebanon. The violence has displaced 1.2 million persons throughout the country. And There is still little hope that the war will end anytime soon.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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