Israeli airstrike in Beirut targets Hezbollah commander, sparks tensions
In the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, there were powerful explosions. Israel claims responsibility for the strike on Beirut. "We conducted a targeted airstrike on the Lebanese capital, aimed at the Hezbollah commander responsible for Saturday's deadly attack on the Golan Heights," the Israeli army announced. Reuters and AFP agencies report that the commander survived.
30 July 2024 19:27
Israel claims it carried out an attack in the Lebanese capital - Beirut - targeting the Hezbollah commander blamed for the attack on the Golan Heights.
Strike on Beirut. Statement from the Israeli army
"We conducted a targeted airstrike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, aimed at the Hezbollah commander responsible for Saturday's deadly attack on the Golan Heights and other strikes on Israel," the Israeli army announced on Tuesday.
According to many reports, the target of the attack was Fuad Shukr, also known as Hajji Mohsin, a senior advisor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - reported the Times of Israel portal. The Israeli army announced a few years ago that he is the head of Hezbollah's precision missile development program. We also want him for his involvement in the 1983 bombing of US Marine barracks in Beirut.
Shortly after the attack, Reuters and AFP, citing sources close to Hezbollah, reported that the high-ranking Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr survived. According to AFP, two people were killed in the airstrike, while Reuters reports one fatality and seven injuries.
Retaliation from Israel was expected in Lebanon
Shortly after the statement was published on the Israeli army's social media, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant wrote a brief statement: "Hezbollah crossed the red line."
Earlier, the Reuters agency reported on loud explosions and plumes of smoke over the southern district of Beirut, which is a Hezbollah stronghold. Videos from the attack site also appeared online.
In Lebanon, retaliation from Israel against Hezbollah for the Saturday attack on the Golan Heights attributed to them had been expected for several days. Twelve Druze children and teenagers were killed in that attack.
On the day of the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a conversation with the Druze community leader, announced that Hezbollah would pay a high price for these actions, a price they had not paid before.
