The IDF launched a major airstrike Thursday evening in central Beirut, reportedly targeting Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit chief, Wafiq Safa. Multiple Hebrew and Arabic media outlets reported Safa as the intended target of the strike, which marks the third attack on Hezbollah leaders beyond Beirut’s southern suburbs since Israel escalated its military campaign last month.

Safa, a senior Hezbollah figure, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2019. At the time, the department described him as Hezbollah’s key link to Lebanese security forces. As the head of Hezbollah’s security apparatus, Safa allegedly exploited Lebanon’s ports and border crossings to smuggle contraband and facilitate travel on behalf of Hezbollah. The Treasury Department accused Safa of undermining Lebanon’s security, draining valuable import duties, and redirecting revenue from the Lebanese government to Hezbollah’s operations.

A Lebanese security source confirmed to Reuters that the airstrike targeted at least one senior Hezbollah official. While the exact outcome of the strike is still unclear, the attack is part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)