Israel claims it killed Hezbollah commander in Beirut strike

Israel was responding to an attack on a soccer field that took the lives of 12 children and young people over the weekend.

The attack on Tuesday was reported by Lebanon's National News Agency to have occurred in the southern Beirut neighborhood of Haret Hreik, known as a base for the Shiite militant group. The agency also mentioned that two levels of the building hit in the attack collapsed.

July 30, 2024 at almost 8:00 pm in Central European Time

The Israel military said they successfully targeted and eliminated a high-ranking member of Hezbollah in an air attack on Beirut, Lebanon's capital city, signaling a major increase in tension between Israel and the militant organization. European governments are concerned that this could lead to a larger conflict in the region.

The Israeli military announced on X that they were aiming to capture the leader who led a rocket strike in the Golan Heights that hit a soccer field, causing the deaths of 12 children and young people from the Druze community.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted on social media that the IDF had successfully taken out Fouad Shukur, a high-ranking military leader in Hezbollah, using a well-executed operation. There has been no response from Hezbollah regarding these allegations at this time.

Gallant stated that Shukur is responsible for the deaths of many Israelis. He also mentioned that their team was able to demonstrate that they will go to any lengths to avenge their people and that there is nowhere that their forces cannot reach.

Israel and the United States have blamed Iran-supported Hezbollah for the recent attack on the Golan Heights, but Hezbollah has denied any part in it.

The National News Agency of Lebanon reported that an airstrike occurred on Tuesday in the southern Beirut neighborhood of Haret Hreik, which is a known base for the Shiite militant group. The airstrike caused two floors of the building to collapse.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib informed Reuters that the Lebanese government strongly criticized the Israeli assault and is preparing to submit a formal complaint to the United Nations. Acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati will hold an urgent meeting with his Cabinet on Wednesday morning, as reported by the Lebanese media outlet An-Nahar.

Mikati said the strike went against international and humanitarian laws.

Bou Habib expressed his desire that any reaction from Hezbollah would not result in an increase in hostilities. The Lebanese government has no authority over the Iran-supported Shiite group. Earlier in the day, Hezbollah refused to heed calls from international representatives to refrain from retaliating against Israeli attacks.

Israel was anticipated to retaliate following the explosion on Saturday, as it marked one of the most severe attacks on its land since Israel and Hezbollah started exchanging fire across borders soon after Hamas' terror attack on October 7. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties.

Israel's Defense Minister Gallant stated on X that Hezbollah had gone too far, shortly after the IDF revealed it had attacked Beirut.

In an interview with the media, Vice President Kamala Harris of the United States stated that Israel has the right to protect itself from the terrorist group Hezbollah. However, she emphasized the importance of pursuing diplomatic efforts to stop the attacks. Harris assured that the government will persist in its diplomatic endeavors to find a resolution.

Iran's embassy, a strong supporter of Hezbollah, criticized the Israeli attack through X as "wicked and cowardly." Tehran's response to any aggression against its Shiite allies will be crucial, especially after its significant missile strike on Israel last April.

Moscow also criticized the attack, stating that it was a clear breach of international laws, according to Russia's foreign ministry speaking to the TASS news agency.

Conflict has been increasing between Hezbollah and Israel since Oct. 7 and Israel's subsequent military attack on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the tragic loss of nearly 40,000 lives. Israel engaged in a 34-day battle against Hezbollah back in 2006.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Monday during a visit to the Israeli town that was targeted, Majdal Shams, and said that Israel cannot overlook the attacks carried out by Hezbollah.

Netanyahu promised that our reaction will be strong and forceful.

Concerns about possible Israeli retaliation led the UK government to recommend that British citizens evacuate Lebanon because of the dangers posed by the ongoing conflict. This decision mirrored the actions taken by other European nations like Germany. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Aegean Airlines, and Air France also halted flights to and from Lebanon prior to the attack on Beirut.

European leaders and officials have been making urgent phone calls to their counterparts in the region to try to prevent a larger conflict. It is uncertain how much control they have over Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran.

An official from Lebanon stated to the Associated Press that Hezbollah is not seeking a major war with Israel but is prepared to engage in conflict if necessary. The organization has begun to transport and get ready smart precision-guided missiles for potential use, as reported by the official.

This developing news is currently being revised.

Joe Stanley-Smith and Irie Sentner added information to the report.