Israel Strikes Building in Beirut, Killing Hezbollah Media Chief

Background

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in a prolonged conflict for over a year, with Hezbollah launching rockets at Israeli military targets and Israel responding with airstrikes and ground incursions. The conflict escalated in late September, with Israel dramatically increasing its military campaign in Lebanon, heavily bombing the country’s south, east, and southern suburbs of Beirut.

Attack on Ras al-Nabaa Neighbourhood

On Sunday, an Israeli strike hit a building in the densely populated Ras al-Nabaa neighbourhood of Beirut, killing Hezbollah’s media relations chief, Mohammad Afif. Two Lebanese security sources confirmed the death, although there was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah.

Building Collapse and Civil Defence Response

The strike struck a building where offices of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party are located. The head of the party in Lebanon, Ali Hijazi, told Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed that Afif was in the building at the time of the strike. The broadcaster later confirmed Afif’s death, showing footage of the building’s upper floors collapsing onto the first storey, with civil defence workers at the scene.

Afif’s Background

Afif was a long-time media adviser to Hezbollah’s former secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut on September 27. Afif managed Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television station for several years before taking over the Iran-backed group’s media relations office.

Recent Comments and Statements

In his most recent comments to reporters on November 11, Afif stated that Israeli troops had been unable to occupy any territory in Lebanon and that Hezbollah had enough weapons and supplies to fight a “long war”. He also hosted several press conferences for journalists amid the rubble in the southern suburbs of the capital.

Casualties and Response

The Lebanese health ministry reported that the strike killed one person and injured three. Ambulances could be heard rushing to the scene, and bursts of gunfire rang out to prevent crowds of people from approaching the location.

Israeli Military Response

The Israeli military declined to comment on the strike, and there was no evacuation order for the area published on the Israeli military spokesman’s account on social media platform X before the strike.

Conclusion

The strike on the Ras al-Nabaa neighbourhood highlights the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which has resulted in significant human casualties and destruction. The death of Mohammad Afif, a prominent figure in Hezbollah’s media relations, is a significant loss for the group and a blow to its efforts to communicate with the international community.

FAQs

Q: What was the target of the Israeli strike?
A: The target of the Israeli strike was a building in the Ras al-Nabaa neighbourhood of Beirut, where offices of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party are located.

Q: Who was killed in the strike?
A: Mohammad Afif, Hezbollah’s media relations chief, was killed in the strike.

Q: What was the response of the Israeli military to the strike?
A: The Israeli military declined to comment on the strike, and there was no evacuation order for the area published on the Israeli military spokesman’s account on social media platform X before the strike.

Q: What was the impact of the strike on the local population?
A: The strike killed one person and injured three, and caused significant damage to the building and surrounding area.