IDF Airstrike Kills Hezbollah Media Chief in Beirut

In a significant escalation of hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an airstrike in Beirut that reportedly killed Hezbollah's media relations chief, Mohammed Afif. The strike targeted a building in the Ras al-Nabaa area, which also housed the Lebanese branch of the Syrian Baath Party, resulting in one confirmed death and injuries to three others, according to local sources. Following the assassination of Hezbollah's longstanding leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September, Afif had been actively involved in providing information to the media, including announcing a drone strike targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Lebanese Health Ministry described the airstrike as causing extensive damage, with reports of individuals trapped under rubble. The Israeli military has not officially confirmed the strike, but reports indicate that Afif was a specific target, reflecting heightened tensions in the region amidst ongoing conflicts. Investigations are ongoing, with further details expected from both Lebanese and Israeli sources.