Israeli Strikes Kill 22 in Beirut as Hezbollah’s Wafiq Safa Evades Assassination

People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israeli Strikes Kill 22 in Beirut as Hezbollah’s Wafiq Safa Evades Assassination

People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Israeli strikes killed 22 people and injured more than 100 in central Beirut on Thursday, Lebanese authorities said, as a senior Hezbollah official evaded an Israeli assassination attempt in the city, according to three security sources.

Wafiq Safa, who heads Hezbollah's liaison and coordination unit responsible for working with Lebanese security agencies, was targeted by Israel on Thursday night but survived, the security sources said.

The Israeli strikes hit a densely packed residential neighborhood of apartment buildings and small shops in the heart of Beirut.

Israel did not issue evacuation warnings ahead of the strikes and had not previously attacked the area.

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported 22 people killed and 117 wounded. Among the dead was a family of eight, including three children, who had evacuated from the south, according to a security source.

Reuters witnesses said at least one strike hit near a gas station and a thick column of smoke was visible. 
There was no immediate comment on the incident by Israel.
After Israel killed a series of high-ranking Hezbollah officials in recent weeks, including top leader Hassan Nasrallah, Safa was among the few surviving senior figures as the group's upper echelons struggled to reorganize.

The attempt to kill Safa, whose role merges security and political affairs, marked a widening of Israel's targets among Hezbollah officials, which previously focused on the group’s military commanders and top leaders.
 



Aoun from Riyadh: We Appreciate Role Saudi Arabia Is Playing in Supporting Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese Presidency shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C-L) being welcomed by with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (C-R) upon his arrival in Riyadh on March 3, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese Presidency shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C-L) being welcomed by with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (C-R) upon his arrival in Riyadh on March 3, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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Aoun from Riyadh: We Appreciate Role Saudi Arabia Is Playing in Supporting Lebanon

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese Presidency shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C-L) being welcomed by with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (C-R) upon his arrival in Riyadh on March 3, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese Presidency shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C-L) being welcomed by with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (C-R) upon his arrival in Riyadh on March 3, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Riyadh on Monday at the invitation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on his first official visit abroad since his election in January.

He said the visit “underscores the depth of Lebanese-Saudi relations and is an occasion to express Lebanon’s appreciation to the role the Kingdom plays in supporting its stability and constitutional institutions.”

He added that he was looking forward to the talks he will hold with Crown Prince Mohammed on Monday that will pave the way for a later visit during which agreements aimed at bolstering cooperation between the fraternal nations will be signed.

Moreover, Aoun stressed the visit will be an opportunity to thank Saudi Arabia for hosting Lebanese people who have flocked to it for several years and who continue to do so, noting their contributions to its construction and economic rise.

During his inaugural speech, Aoun had declared that Lebanon will adopt a policy of “positive neutrality” and will steer clear of regional axes.

Lebanon aims to establish the best relations with fraternal Arab countries given Lebanon’s Arab identity and belonging, he remarked.