Tensions in the Middle East reached a new peak on Sunday as Israeli forces intensified their military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, targeting militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas. Among the casualties was Mohammed Afif, Hezbollah’s chief spokesperson, killed in a precision airstrike in Beirut.
Death of Mohammed Afif
Mohammed Afif, a prominent figure within Hezbollah and its chief media strategist since 2014, was killed in an Israeli strike on Ras al-Nabaa, a central Beirut neighborhood. At the time, Afif was at the headquarters of the pro-Hezbollah Baath Party. The Lebanese health ministry reported four deaths in the strike, which occurred without prior evacuation warnings.
Hezbollah, mourning the loss of one of its most visible figures, described Afif as a “great media leader” in a statement. Militant group Hamas also expressed condolences, calling him a “strong and defiant voice of resistance.”
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, calling it a “precise, intelligence-based strike” to eliminate a key Hezbollah operative.
Increased Strikes in Beirut
Sunday’s attacks marked the fifth time Israeli forces have targeted Beirut since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Later that evening, a strike in Mar Elias, a Sunni-majority neighborhood near the city center, killed at least two more people.
IDF announced it conducted six strikes on Hezbollah military targets in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh. Se areas are believed to host significant Hezbollah infrastructure. Evacuation warnings were issued to residents of Haret Hreik, a Hezbollah stronghold, as airstrikes entered their sixth consecutive day.
Escalation in Southern Lebanon
Beyond the capital, Israel has expanded its ground and artillery operations in southern Lebanon. Artillery batteries, now stationed within Lebanese territory, are reportedly supporting ground forces with heavy fire aimed at Hezbollah positions. This marks the deepest Israeli incursion into Lebanon since the 2006 conflict, with Israeli troops briefly reaching the village of Chama, 61 miles from Beirut.
Clashes with Hezbollah fighters forced Israeli forces to retreat, according to Lebanese state media. Meanwhile, airstrikes on villages in Sourn Tyre district claimed at least 11 lives on Sunday.
Parallel Offensive in Gaza
In Gaza, Israeli strikes targeted Beit Lahiya and al-Bureij, killing dozens, including civilians displaced by ongoing fighting. Witness accounts from Beit Lahiya describe chaos as homes sheltering families were reduced to rubble. Videos showed children screaming for their mors amidst destruction.
IDF defended its actions, claiming that all strikes aimed to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure. “We are operating with precision and taking every possible step to avoid civilian harm,” IDF said.
However, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. Gaza’s health ministry reported over 70 deaths on Sunday, including 23 from al-Bureij strikes. Aid workers have struggled to access affected areas due to ongoing bombardments.
Diplomatic Implications
Afif’s death comes amid discussions of a U.S.-Israeli ceasefire proposal, currently under review by the Lebanese government and Hezbollah leadership. It remains uncertain how his killing will influence negotiations.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed the government’s stance, stating that dual offensives in Lebanon and Gaza would continue “until terrorist threats are neutralized.”
A Region on Edge
intensification of violence on multiple fronts has pushed the region closer to the brink of a broader conflict. With both sides suffering losses, the path to de-escalation appears increasingly fraught.
As diplomatic channels remain tenuous, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and Gaza deepens, with civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing hostilities.
