Dr Mike Evans

IDF takes out top Hezbollah leaders in Beirut with airstrikes

An Israeli airstrike on Sunday targeted the Syrian Baath Party headquarters in Beirut, killing Hezbollah’s media chief and senior commander, Muhammad Afif. Both Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed his death later that evening.

Hezbollah described Afif as a “martyr, jihad fighter, and leader,” highlighting his prominent role within the organization.

According to Army Radio, in addition to heading Hezbollah’s media office and serving as its main spokesman, Afif had taken on military duties in recent months. He was one of the few senior commanders not yet eliminated by Israeli forces.

The IDF stated that Afif joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and was a key figure in the group, significantly influencing its military operations. He was reportedly in regular contact with senior officials to plan and direct military activities.

The IDF added that Afif was involved in Hezbollah’s propaganda efforts, including the release of video clips and the group’s claim of responsibility for a drone strike on the private residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Afif’s work also focused on spreading messages through Lebanese media, aiming to bolster Hezbollah’s image, boost morale among its operatives, and instill fear among Israelis. The IDF noted his efforts to amplify acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians and military forces.

The airstrike that killed Afif was notable for its location. Unlike many Israeli strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, this one occurred closer to the city center. At the time, Afif was reportedly in the Syrian Baath Party offices, aligned with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Neither Hezbollah nor the IDF disclosed further details on the strike’s location.

A family member of Afif later accused Israeli spies of being responsible for his death, claiming they had provided his location. Afif had previously alleged that Lebanese journalists critical of Hezbollah were providing Israel with information on targets.

The strike that killed Afif was also unusual because it was carried out without prior warning, in contrast to many Israeli operations in Beirut, which typically involve evacuation notices. In a separate incident in October, Afif was forced to interrupt a press conference in Dahiyeh after the IDF issued an evacuation warning for the area, with Israeli forces threatening a strike. At the time, Afif defiantly stated, “The bombing does not scare us, nor the threats. Our will is firm, and our determination is strong.”

In a related operation, the IDF announced it had targeted six more sites in Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s stronghold. Israeli forces had warned residents to evacuate the area before the strikes, which targeted munitions warehouses, Hezbollah command centers, and other military infrastructure.