IDF conducts targeted strike in Beirut, targets senior Hezbollah official - report

The strike comes following Hezbollah rocket barrages across Israel's North.

 Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after a strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 7, 2024 (photo credit: REUTERS/Joseph Campbell)
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after a strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 7, 2024
(photo credit: REUTERS/Joseph Campbell)

The IDF conducted a targeted strike in Beirut, the military announced on Monday.

According to an N12 report, there was no evacuation warning before the strike, and it was conducted near the area where Hashem Safieddine, the presumed successor of former Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, was believed to have been killed.

Earlier in the day, dozens of rockets were fired toward northern Israeli communities. Following a morning alert and a search in Ma’alot-Tarshiha, a rocket was reported to have landed in an open area. No casualties were reported, though minor property damage occurred. Two direct hits were also identified in Kfar Vradim, where, again, there were no injuries, though property damage was noted. Several people were treated for anxiety at the scene.

Later, after an afternoon alert and further searches, two more direct hits were reported in the Ma’alot-Tarshiha area—one near a house and another in an open field. One person was injured by shrapnel, and four others suffering from anxiety were evacuated and treated. Damage to property was also reported.

Afterward, the IDF provided a statement, saying: As of 17:00 (Monday), approximately 135 projectiles fired by the Hezbollah terrorist organization crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory.

 SUPPORTERS OF Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carry pictures of him as they gather in Sidon, following his killing in an Israeli airstrike, last month, labeled by ‘The New York Times’ as an ‘escalation.’ (credit: Ali Hankir/Reuters)
SUPPORTERS OF Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah carry pictures of him as they gather in Sidon, following his killing in an Israeli airstrike, last month, labeled by ‘The New York Times’ as an ‘escalation.’ (credit: Ali Hankir/Reuters)

The IDF will continue to operate against the threat of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in defense of the State of Israel and its residents.

Affected communities respond

Eyal Shmueli, head of the Kfar Vradim Council, spoke to Maariv after the strikes: “Symbolically or not—this morning, exactly one year after Rumi Gonen from the town was kidnapped and is still held captive by Hamas—we suffered two direct hits in Kfar Vradim, one of which was near Rumi's home.” He added, “Thankfully, due to vigilance and civilian discipline, there were no physical injuries, only property damage. We will continue to stand firm alongside the IDF and Northern Command in their mission to restore the pastoral peace of the Galilee.”

Earlier in the morning, red alert sirens were activated in the Carmiel and Upper Galilee regions. At the same time, the IDF reported that after a 6:31 a.m. alert in the Gaza border, four launches from southern Gaza were detected. Three were intercepted by the Air Force, and one landed in an open area.

This is a developing story.