Hezbollah Media Relations Chief Killed in Israeli Strike in Beirut

BEIRUT, Nov 17 – Mohammad Afif, Hezbollah’s media relations chief, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a building in central Beirut on Sunday, according to two Lebanese security sources. There has been no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah regarding his death.

Israeli airstrikes have mostly targeted areas in southern Beirut, where Hezbollah has its primary strongholds, but this attack marked a rare strike on a senior figure without a direct military role. The incident comes amid rising tensions in the region.

In a separate strike later on Sunday, an Israeli missile targeted a vehicle on Mar Elias Street in central Beirut, an area typically less affected by Israeli bombings. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV reported that the strike killed at least two people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes when contacted by Reuters. Notably, the Israeli military’s social media account, which often issues evacuation warnings ahead of airstrikes, did not provide a prior warning for the attack that killed Afif. (Reuters)