The situation between Israel and Hezbollah intensified on Thursday as Beirut faced deadly airstrikes targeting Wafiq Safa, a prominent Hezbollah figure overseeing the group’s Liaison and Coordination Unit. Safa escaped the attack, but the airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals and injured over 100, according to reports from the Economic Times.
This latest military action represents a significant escalation in Israel’s campaign, shifting from previous attacks focused on Hezbollah’s strongholds in the southern suburbs to more central neighborhoods in Beirut. Areas such as Al Nuwairi, Ras el-Nabaa, and Basta were hit during the strikes.
As rescue operations continued, authorities in Lebanon reported that the full extent of casualties was still being evaluated. Given the extensive damage to infrastructure in these densely populated areas, officials warned that the death toll might rise.
Witnesses recounted scenes of devastation, with ambulances struggling to access the hardest-hit locations. Several apartment buildings were left in ruins, amplifying the chaos in the city.
Wafiq Safa is known for his role in negotiating a significant prisoner exchange between Hezbollah and Israel in 2008, where he facilitated the return of the bodies of two Israeli soldiers in exchange for five Lebanese prisoners. This exchange followed the intense 34-day conflict in 2006.
Safa has also been involved in Lebanese domestic politics, notably warning a judge in 2021 who was investigating the catastrophic Beirut port explosion, urging him to cease inquiries that could implicate Hezbollah-aligned politicians.
His survival in the recent airstrikes is seen as part of Israel’s broader strategy to target key Hezbollah operatives amidst the escalating conflict.
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