Hezbollah Spokesperson Killed in Israeli Strike on Beirut

Mohammed Afif, a prominent spokesperson for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Sunday, Lebanese security sources have confirmed. The strike hit the Ras al-Nebaa district in central Beirut, a rare location for Israeli attacks, marking only the fourth time since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict that an Israeli strike has targeted the heart of Lebanon’s capital.

Sources from Reuters and AFP, as well as a Hezbollah official speaking to the Associated Press, identified Afif as the casualty of the attack. According to Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed, Afif was at the headquarters of the pro-Hezbollah Baath Party at the time of the strike, which was confirmed by Ali Hijazim, the party’s leader in Lebanon.

While CNN has yet to independently confirm the death, Hezbollah’s media office has been receiving condolences, which suggests Afif’s reported killing may be accurate.

Afif, one of the few public faces of Hezbollah, had been a key figure in the group, often seen delivering speeches in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. His close association with the group’s late leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and his prominence in Hezbollah’s media outreach made him a significant target. The attack on Sunday came amid an escalation in the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, coinciding with ongoing diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not commented on the strike, but the incident underscores the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly as Israel continues its military campaign against the militant group. The attack on Afif follows several days of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, including renewed strikes on southern Beirut’s Haret Hreik district, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence.

In addition to the situation in Lebanon, Israeli forces also conducted heavy strikes in Gaza, where at least 50 people were killed in Beit Lahiya on Sunday morning. This followed Israeli airstrikes in al-Bureij, central Gaza, that killed 23 others. The humanitarian toll in Gaza has been significant, with civilians, including children, caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.

Amid the intensifying violence, discussions are ongoing in Beirut about a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah is reportedly reviewing the proposal, though it is unclear how Afif’s reported death will influence these negotiations.

The escalating violence in both Gaza and Lebanon is part of Israel’s broader military strategy to dismantle what it calls “terrorist infrastructure,” which has led to significant casualties on both sides. As the situation unfolds, global attention remains focused on efforts to mediate peace in the region.