In the latest development of escalation, Hezbollah's main spokesperson Mohammad Afif has been killed in an Israeli strike in central Beirut, Lebanon. The militant groups' members, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, said Afif was killed in the strike on Sunday. The strike hit the area where many people, who were displaced from Beirut's southern suburbs, had been seeking refuge.
Afif had been especially visible after Israel's military escalation in September and following the assassination of longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. However, there was no evacuation order for the area published on the Israeli military spokesperson's account on social media platform X before the strike.
Lebanese broadcaster confirms Afif's death
While there was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah, the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed later confirmed that Afif was in the building and was killed. Meanwhile, the Lebanese health ministry said that the strike killed one and injured three. The Israeli military also denied commenting on the development. He managed Hezbollah's Al-Manar television station for many years before becoming the Iran-backed group's media relations office.
Israel bombards southern suburbs
Earlier in the day, the Israeli warplanes pounded the southern suburbs of Beirut after the military warned people to evacuate from several buildings. It must be noted here that the militant group has a strong presence in the area, which is known as the Dahiyeh. The strikes come when the Lebanese officials are considering a US-brokered cease-fire proposal.
(With inputs from agencies)
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