October 2024 Dahieh airstrike
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| October 2024 Dahieh airstrike | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the Israel–Hezbollah war (2023–present) | |
| Type | Airstrike |
| Location | Dahieh, Lebanon 33°51′5″N 35°30′14″E / 33.85139°N 35.50389°E |
| Target | Hashem Safieddine |
| Date | 3 October 2024 |
| Executed by |  Israeli Air Force |
  Dahieh Location within Lebanon | |
On the night of 3 October 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out an airstrike on an underground bunker in Dahieh, a predominantly Shia Muslim suburb in the south of Beirut, Lebanon, where Hezbollah leaders, including Hashem Safieddine, had convened.[1][2]
Background
The IDF reportedly targeted Hashem Safieddine, the cousin of and presumed successor to Hassan Nasrallah, who had been assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on the Hezbollah headquarters on 27 September 2024. Safieddine, who was attending a meeting with senior Hezbollah officials at the time of the strike, is head of the Hezbollah executive council and the Jihad Council, which manages the group's military operations. Safieddine was designated a terrorist in May 2017 by the United States Department of State and Saudi Arabia for his leadership role in Hezbollah.[3][4]
Airstrike
In the wider context of the latest Israel–Hezbollah war, at least 11 consecutive bombings took place in Dahieh on that occasion, reportedly targeting a meeting taking place in an underground bunker and consisting of several senior Hezbollah officials, including Safieddine and the group's chief of intelligence, Hussein Hazimah.[5][1] It is unclear how many casualties were caused in the attack. The IDF said that the strikes targeted Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters.[6]
Around 73 tons of bombs were dropped on the bunker by the Israeli Air Force, and the strikes were reportedly larger than the attack that killed Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallahon 27 September 2024.[6][7] Footage of the aftermath showed giant balls of flame rising from the bunker with thick smoke and flares bursting out. The attack emitted loud bangs and caused buildings to shake.[1]
Fate of Hashem Safieddine
According to the Israeli Channel 12, Israeli security officials were "increasingly confident" that Safieddine had been killed in the attack.[3]
On 5 October, a Lebanese security source reported that Hezbollah lost contact with Safieddine, and that Hezbollah has not heard from him since the airstrike.[8][9]
Al Arabiya and Al Hadath reported that Israel confirmed the assassination of Hashem Safieddine and all Hezbollah leaders that were with him.[10]
Analysis
According to military analyst Elijah Magnier, the disappearance of Hashem Safieddine will not change Hezbollah's millitary strategy against Israel because "the team of special forces in the south of Lebanon are fighting independently of the political decision-making in Beirut".[11]
References
- ^ a b c Christou, William; Beaumont, Peter (4 October 2024). "Israel launches intense attacks on Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut's south". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Blasts Shake Beirut as Israel Targets Remaining Hezbollah Leaders, Officials Say".
- ^ a b Fabian, Emanuel (4 October 2024). "Nasrallah's presumed successor said to be target of heavy Israeli strike in Beirut". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Sharp, Alexandra (7 October 2024). "Israel Targets Potential Hezbollah Successor in Major Overnight Barrage". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Nasrallah's reported successor, Hashem Safieddine, targeted in IAF strike in Beirut - report". The Jerusalem Post. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Israel targets potential Hezbollah successor in Beirut airstrike". Axios. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Zitun, Yoav (4 October 2024). "Strike targeting presumptive Nasrallah replacement uses 73 ton of bombs". Ynetnews. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Lau, Chris (5 October 2024). "Israel strikes Lebanon as region braces for response to Iran: Live updates". CNN. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Hezbollah loses contact with leader seen as Nasrallah's successor: Sources". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "مصادر الحدث: هاشم صفي الدين قتل بالغارة مع مساعدين وإيرانيين". Al Hadath. 5 October 2024.
- ^ Uras, Umut. "Israel vows retaliation for Iran attack as its strikes kill 25 in Lebanon". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
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