30 Jul 2024 | 05:58 PM UTC
Lebanon: Israeli airstrike targets senior Lebanese Hizballah commander in Haret Hreik area in Dahieh suburbs of Beirut on evening of July 30
Israeli airstrike targets senior Hizballah commander in Haret Hreik, suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, July 30; number of casualties reported.
An Israeli airstrike reportedly targeted Fuad Shukr (alias Hajj Mohsin), a senior Lebanese Hizballah (LH) commander, at the Al-Rabih Building in the Haret Hreik area of Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahieh on the evening of July 30. The strike, which occurred at around 19:40, reportedly came in response to the July 27 rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights that killed 12 people and which Israel attributed to the militant group. Shukr's fate was not immediately reported; however, initial reports from Lebanese medical sources indicate that the strike injured an unspecified number of people. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has acknowledged the strike, saying that it targeted the LH commander responsible for the Majdal Shams attack, and did not immediately issue any changes to the Home Front Command defensive guidelines. Authorities will likely provide updates over the coming hours.
Heightened security and localized disruptions to transport and business operations will probably affect the Haret Hreik area over the short term. LH may launch retaliatory projectile fire or drone attacks toward Israel over the coming hours. The probability of significant conflict escalation will greatly increase if LH launches a major retaliation against Israel or Israeli interests. Additionally, further Israeli airstrikes targeting LH personnel cannot be ruled out over the coming days.
Avoid the impacted location until authorities give the all-clear. Plan for localized disruptions, allow additional time for travel, and seek alternative routes to circumvent the affected area. Heed all official directives. If an attack alert is issued in the general vicinity, stay indoors and away from windows and exterior walls. If possible, move to a ground floor, basement, or bunker. Maintain contact with your country's diplomatic mission.
