Beirut awoke to devastation as Israeli warplanes unleashed precision strikes on the heart of the city, killing a top Hezbollah media figure. Mohammad Shari, director of political programming at Al-Manar Television, perished alongside his spouse in the assault on Joukak al-Blat. The channel’s statement mourned the loss while revealing that family members, including young grandchildren, suffered severe injuries and were rushed to medical care.
Without any prelude notice, the early morning raid pulverized an apartment complex in a teeming residential zone near key diplomatic sites. Lebanon’s NNA detailed parallel attacks in Basta, where two more buildings crumbled, echoing tactics from the 2024 Hezbollah war. Health Ministry data tallies 12 dead and over 40 wounded, with fragmented remains complicating victim identification via DNA analysis.
Israel’s army released maps pinpointing the site as a repeated Hezbollah financial hub, allegedly stockpiling vast sums for militant activities. Last week’s partial strike followed evacuation alerts, but this unheralded barrage fully demolished the target. Critics slam the operation’s proximity to civilian hubs, amplifying humanitarian concerns in Lebanon’s fragile capital.
This incident underscores the volatile Israel-Lebanon frontier, where cross-border exchanges have intensified. Hezbollah vows retaliation, while Beirut braces for potential reprisals. International observers urge de-escalation to avert a full-scale conflict engulfing the Middle East.