Israel launched massive airstrikes overnight in Beirut’s densely populated southern suburbs, including the perimeter of the international airport.
A source close to Hezbollah told AFP news agency that Israeli forces carried out 11 consecutive raids, in what was described as the most violent attack ever on the Lebanese capital.
Israeli media reported that the target of the attacks was Hashem Saffieddine, a high-ranking Hezbollah leader and potential successor to leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike last week.
Neither Israel nor the Lebanese group commented.
Israel has repeatedly attacked areas of southern Beirut such as Dahiyah, a stronghold of Hezbollah’s support, as it escalated its conflict with the Iran-backed Lebanese group.
