Hezbollah, IDF official confirmation… “Important role within the organization”
He held several press conferences after Nasrallah’s death.
To date, 4 people have died and 14 have been injured… Casualties likely to increase
Israel launched an airstrike on the center of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, for the first time in 10 days. It is understood that the chief spokesman for the Lebanese armed political faction Herbollah was killed in this attack.
According to AP and the Times of Israel on the 17th (local time), Hezbollah announced that its chief spokesman, Muhammad Afif, was killed when Israel attacked the office of the Arab Socialist Baath Party in central Beirut.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed that Afif was killed. “Afif exercised significant influence over Hezbollah military operations,” the IDF explained in a statement.
He also added, “He was in contact with high-ranking officials and was directly involved in advancing and executing terrorist activities against Israel,” adding, “He instructed members to collect on-site footage to be used for Hezbollah propaganda and psychological terrorism.”
The AP said it was the latest in a series of targeted killings by Israel of senior Hezbollah officials and came as Lebanon was considering a U.S.-led ceasefire proposal.
Afif is believed to have played an important role within Hezbollah for over 20 years.
According to AFP, he joined Hezbollah at a young age and first came to prominence as the head of intelligence for Hezbollah TV channel Al-Manar during the 2006 war with Israel.
After Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated, he held several press conferences in the southern suburbs of Beirut, and last month he announced a drone attack on the private residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This is the first time Israel has attacked central Beirut since the 10th of last month. At that time, 22 people lost their lives in the airstrike. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health announced that four people were killed and 14 injured in the airstrike.
AFP said the airstrikes had caused extensive destruction and the number of people trapped under the rubble was unknown.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health ordered schools to close for two days in Beirut and surrounding areas in the aftermath of the airstrike.
In the ancient city of Tire in southern Lebanon, it was announced that at least 11 people were killed and 48 injured in Israeli airstrikes.
The IDF said it attacked more than 200 locations in Lebanon over 36 hours.
The conflict between the two sides, which had been fighting since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, escalated into an all-out war about two months ago.
The Israeli military invaded Lebanon on the 1st of last month and is eliminating Hezbollah leaders one by one. Hezbollah also expanded its attack range from northern Israel to central Israel.
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 3,400 people have died and more than 1.2 million have been displaced. It is unknown how many of the dead were Hezbollah fighters.
On the Israeli side, at least 76 people, including 31 soldiers, died and about 60,000 people fled.
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How might recent escalations in conflict influence public perception of Hezbollah within Lebanon?
Title: Understanding the Escalation: An Interview on Hezbollah’s Strategic Landscape
Editor (Time.news): Good morning! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments regarding Hezbollah and Israel. The recent airstrike on Beirut that resulted in the death of Muhammad Afif has certainly intensified the situation. Could you give us an overview of who Muhammad Afif was and why his death is significant?
Expert: Good morning! Absolutely, Muhammad Afif was a pivotal figure within Hezbollah, specifically noted for his role in military operations and media strategy. He was the chief spokesman for Hezbollah and had been with the organization for over 20 years. Afif first gained prominence during the 2006 war with Israel, when he led the intelligence operations for Hezbollah’s media outlet, Al-Manar. His expertise not only laid the groundwork for propaganda but also for operational directives against Israel, making his assassination a notable strategic blow to Hezbollah.
Editor: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that Afif was directly involved in coordinating attacks against Israel. What does this say about Hezbollah’s structure and strategy going forward?
Expert: It highlights the multifaceted role individuals like Afif play within Hezbollah. His involvement in operational planning and psychological warfare indicates that Hezbollah combines military and media strategies to influence both local and international narratives. In the wake of his death, we can expect Hezbollah to either promote another figure into a similar role or potentially increase their military activities to showcase resilience. This incident also illustrates the ongoing risk Hezbollah faces from targeted operations by Israel, which seems to be part of a broader strategy to diminish Hezbollah’s leadership and operational capabilities.
Editor: In light of this airstrike, particularly at a time when there was discussion about a potential U.S.-led ceasefire proposal, how do you think Hezbollah might respond?
Expert: That’s an intriguing question. Given the timing, Hezbollah’s leadership may feel pressure to demonstrate their strength and resolve. We could see them ramping up their rhetoric against Israel, possibly engaging in retaliatory actions to reassert their presence and commitment to their cause. There’s also the possibility they might sabotage ceasefire negotiations as a way to project power and rally support domestically and regionally.
Editor: The casualties reported from this conflict seem to be rising. With four reported dead and fourteen injured as of now, how does this affect public sentiment towards Hezbollah and the wider conflict?
Expert: Civilian casualties always have a profound impact on public sentiment. In Lebanon, where many communities have suffered significantly from the ongoing conflict, these losses can stir both anger and frustration towards external aggressors, namely Israel, as well as internal factions perceived as responsible for the ongoing violence. Hezbollah can leverage public outrage to bolster its support, but excessive collateral damage may also incite criticism against its strategies. The balance between defending against Israel and minimizing civilian casualties is a delicate one that could affect Hezbollah’s public image and long-term viability.
Editor: looking ahead, how do you envision this conflict shaping the political landscape in Lebanon and the region?
Expert: The conflict is likely to deepen divisions within Lebanon and may complicate any political dialogue aimed at stabilization. If Hezbollah seeks to position itself as the primary defender against Israel, this could create further rifts between various political factions. Regionally, this incident will likely provoke responses from neighboring countries and continue to strain relationships, especially as the geopolitical implications of these actions reverberate. The overarching narrative of resistance against Israel will remain a core aspect of Hezbollah’s identity, yet the evolving nature of their leadership and military strategy will be crucial in shaping both their future and the broader regional landscape.
Editor: Thank you so much for your insights. As these events unfold, it’s crucial to stay informed and understand the complexities at play. We’ll be watching closely for further developments.
Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important issues.