22 Killed in Israeli Strikes, Hezbollah Leader Escapes Assassination

Hezbollah Leader Survives Assassination Attempt as Israeli Strikes Kill 22 in Beirut

Senior Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut, which killed 22 people and wounded dozens more.

Hezbollah’s top official, Wafiq Safa, survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Beirut on Thursday. The attack was part of a large wave of Israeli airstrikes that intensified the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, as reported by Reuters.

These were some of the deadliest strikes in over a year, destroying buildings in two different neighborhoods and injuring many. The Israeli assault also endangered UN peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon, provoking condemnation and accusations of violating international law.

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Key Developments
Wafiq Safa, who heads Hezbollah’s liaison and coordination unit, was the target of the Israeli airstrike but managed to escape unscathed. Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV confirmed that Safa was not in the targeted buildings when the strikes occurred.

The assassination attempt on Safa, who oversees Hezbollah’s security and political affairs, indicates Israel’s broader focus on targeting Hezbollah officials beyond its military commanders.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the Israeli airstrikes on Beirut on Thursday destroyed two residential buildings, killing 22 people and injuring 117 others.

One eight-story building was reduced to rubble, while another had its lower floors severely damaged, leaving two neighborhoods in ruins. Witnesses reported that the destroyed building housed displaced residents.

Israeli forces also fired on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, injuring two soldiers. This attack sparked widespread criticism, prompting Italy to summon Israel’s ambassador for an explanation.

Despite the attacks, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti confirmed that UN peacekeepers would remain in southern Lebanon, calling the situation one of the most severe events witnessed in the past year.

A US State Department spokesperson urged Israel to take “all feasible measures” to protect civilians during military operations, following the deadly strikes on Beirut. While supporting Israel’s right to self-defense against Hezbollah, the spokesperson added, “how it does so matters.”

In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike hit a school, killing at least 28 people. The Israeli military stated that the target was “terrorists” operating within the building.

US Vice President Kamala Harris called for de-escalation in the Middle East, as tensions remained high amid Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “We must reach a ceasefire. We need to de-escalate,” Harris said during a campaign speech in Las Vegas.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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