Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeted Hachem Safieddine, the presumed next leader of Hezbollah, according to Israeli media reports. Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s executive council, was seen as the likely successor to Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh last week. The strikes on Friday night were reminiscent of the explosions that killed Nasrallah, with loud explosions and red smoke plumes seen in Beirut.
Israel reportedly used bunker buster bombs in its strike last week, causing deep craters. The latest attack comes amid escalating violence in the region, with dozens of people killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon in the past 24 hours. The Israeli military has ordered civilians to evacuate from areas near Hezbollah facilities, as tensions continue to rise.
Meanwhile, the UN has called for urgent facilitation of flights to deliver medical supplies to Lebanon, as the health system in the country deteriorates. The situation in Lebanon has been described as “truly catastrophic” by a senior UN official. The UN has also condemned the increase in violence, calling for restraint and responsibility from all parties involved.
As the situation in the Middle East remains fragile, global leaders are expressing concern over the escalating conflict. President Joe Biden has stated that the US is discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, raising fears of further escalation. The death toll in Gaza and Lebanon continues to rise, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
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