Israel carried out a retaliatory strike in a densely populated Beirut suburb on Tuesday in response to a rocket attack in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The rocket attack, blamed on Hezbollah, resulted in the tragic death of 12 children and teenagers on a soccer field.
Target of the Strike
The target of the Israeli strike was Fuad Shukr, a senior official and close adviser to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli security officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the strike eliminated Mr. Shukr. However, there has been no official confirmation from Hezbollah regarding the incident.
Denial and Escalation
Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the Golan Heights attack. The recent strikes have raised concerns about a potential escalation of the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with fears of a full-blown war looming. This comes as Israel is already engaged in a military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following a deadly assault on Israel by the group on Oct. 7.
Casualties and Damage
The strike in the Beirut suburb resulted in the death of at least four people, including a woman and two children. Additionally, 74 individuals were wounded, with five in critical condition, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. Rescue operations are ongoing to search for any other possible victims trapped in the rubble.
