The Israeli military conducted an attack on July 30 targeting the commander of the Iran-aligned militia group Hezbollah in the capital of Lebanon, Beirut. This was in retaliation for the rocket attack that hit the Golan Heights occupied by Israel on July 27, resulting in the deaths of 12 people.
Israel Considers Retaliation for Golan Heights Attack — Countries Move to Avoid Full-Scale War
Israeli government officials suggested that they do not intend to escalate the situation further. According to anonymous sources among government officials, the Israeli military does not have plans for additional retaliatory attacks soon.
According to government officials, the attack on Beirut targeting Hezbollah’s Fuad Shukr began before 8 PM local time (2 AM Japan time on July 31). It is unclear whether Shukr, who serves as a senior military advisor to Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, is alive.
The Israel Defense Forces stated that they targeted a commander responsible for an attack that resulted in the death of a child in the Golan Heights.
Smoke rises from the southern suburbs of Beirut following the Israeli attack (July 30)
Photographer: Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Habib stated in an interview with the Lebanese television station Al-Jadeed that the Israeli attack represents a “violation of a well-known red line.”
Israel condemned Hezbollah for the attack it received over the weekend, but Hezbollah has denied involvement in the assault.
Television footage showed smoke rising from buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where many Hezbollah supporters reside. Lebanon’s state media reported that drones fired three rockets toward Beirut, resulting in at least one woman’s death.
Original title: Lebanese Foreign Minister Says Israeli Strike Crossed ‘Red Line’, Israel Strikes Beirut in Muted Response to Deadly Golan Attack, Israel Says It Struck Beirut, Targeting Hezbollah Commander (excerpt)
(Will update with comments from the Lebanese foreign minister and others)