Israel airstrikes Beirut, claims to have killed Hezbollah commander

A loud explosion was heard and a column of smoke was seen rising above the southern suburbs of Beirut - a Hezbollah stronghold - at around 7:40 p.m., according to a witness. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the airstrike killed Fuad Shukr, who "has the blood of many Israelis on his hands."

There was no immediate response from Hezbollah. The group has denied involvement in a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday that killed 12 young men at a soccer field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams.

Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli airstrike on the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon on July 30, 2024. Video capture: Reuters

A senior security source in the area confirmed that Shukr died from injuries sustained in the attack. The Israeli military said Shukr was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's most important aide, advising him on wartime operations and in charge of Saturday's attack on the Golan Heights.

Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs also killed three civilians, including two children, medical and security sources said.

Lebanon's Al Manar TV quoted the Lebanese Health Ministry as saying 74 people were injured and three were killed in the attack around Hezbollah's Shura Council, a decision-making body, in the Haret Hreik neighborhood.

UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert called for calm amid the escalating tensions and urged Israel and Lebanon to explore all diplomatic avenues to end hostilities. "There is no military solution," she said in a statement.

Tuesday's attack on Beirut drew widespread condemnation from Lebanese officials and Hezbollah's regional allies including Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, as well as armed groups in Syria and Iran.

The White House, which also blamed Saturday's attack on Hezbollah, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Israel's security against "all threats" and said it was seeking a diplomatic solution.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, said his country condemned the Israeli airstrike and planned to file a complaint with the United Nations. "We did not expect them to attack Beirut and they did attack Beirut," he said, adding that he hoped Hezbollah's response would not escalate.

Hours before the airstrike, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he did not believe a war was inevitable between Hezbollah and Israel, although he remained concerned about the possibility of escalation.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-khong-kich-thu-do-cua-lebanon-tuyen-bo-tieu-diet-chi-huy-hezbollah-post305628.html