BEIRUT - On October 4, 2024, Israel conducted a significant airstrike on a bunker in southern Beirut, reportedly targeting a meeting attended by Hezbollah's potential new leader, Hashem Safieddine, and other senior officials of the militant group. This strike is noted to be one of the most powerful since the onset of the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as reported by the New York Times, citing three unnamed Israeli officials.
While it remains unclear whether Safieddine was injured in the attack, he is a prominent figure within Hezbollah and is considered a strong candidate to succeed the recently killed leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli officials previously indicated that Safieddine was one of the few high-ranking Hezbollah leaders not present during a prior attack that resulted in Nasrallah's death.
The airstrike is indicative of Israel's ongoing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah's leadership, nearly a week after Nasrallah's assassination. Reports from the ground indicated strong explosions in Beirut, with media outlets noting the presence of fighter jets and smoke over the capital. The Lebanese Ministry of Transport confirmed that the area surrounding the airport was hit at least once.
In the last 24 hours, at least 37 people have been reported dead in Lebanon, with 151 others injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.