Israel recently carried out an airstrike in central Beirut, which resulted in the death of Mohammed Afif, Hezbollah’s chief spokesman.
The strike targeted the headquarters of the pan-Arab socialist Ba’ath Party, though some sources, including Lebanese security officials, suggest the target was the offices of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), an organization that aligns with Hezbollah and has a long-standing militant opposition to Israel.
Afif’s death is part of a broader campaign by Israel to dismantle Hezbollah’s leadership, which has been under attack for several months.
The strike took place against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon. According to reports, the airstrike killed at least four people and left several others wounded, though precise figures have not been confirmed. This comes as Israel’s actions in Lebanon continue to destabilize Hezbollah’s operations.
Israel’s tactics have included a methodical and cautious advance through southern Lebanon, in contrast to previous, more aggressive invasions. Despite gaining some territory, Israel has been careful not to escalate the conflict too quickly, focusing on neutralizing Hezbollah’s infrastructure, particularly its tunnel network.
Hezbollah has struggled to mount a coordinated defense, unlike its efforts during the 2006 war. While it has launched some missile attacks, the scale of its response has been far less than anticipated. According to analysts, Israel’s strategy of slow, deliberate advances is meant to avoid a broader conflict while targeting critical Hezbollah positions, thereby leaving the group in disarray.
The latest developments come after intense Israeli bombardment in the months following October 7, 2023, which, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, has resulted in more than 3,400 deaths.
Despite these casualties, Israel’s ground operations have proceeded cautiously, reflecting lessons learned from previous conflicts, especially in Gaza. The aim is to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities without rushing into deeper, riskier military engagements.
