Wafik Safa. Photo: tasnimnews.
A large-scale Israeli air strike in the centre of Beirut this evening targeted a key Hezbollah figure, Wafiq Safa, head of the group’s communications and coordination unit. This was reported by timesofisrael with reference to Hebrew and Arabic media.
Who is Wafiq Safa?
Wafik Safa is an important representative of Hezbollah and one of the closest associates of the organisation’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. In 2019, the US Treasury Department placed Safa on a sanctions list, accusing him of using Lebanese ports and checkpoints for smuggling. According to the Ministry, Safa undermined Lebanon’s security by facilitating illegal operations that resulted in the loss of important customs revenues and government income.
“As head of Hezbollah’s security apparatus, Safa played a key role in enabling the organisation’s activities, which significantly weakened Lebanon’s security,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement.
Impact confirmation and its consequences
According to a Lebanese security source quoted by Reuters, the Israeli airstrike did indeed target a senior Hezbollah official, confirming earlier reports of Safa’s possible elimination. The strike was part of an escalation of Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah that has been going on for several weeks. This is the third attack targeting Hezbollah facilities outside the southern suburbs of Beirut since the intensification of Israeli military operations.
Conflict escalation and its regional implications
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been rising in recent months, and the current strike in central Beirut underscores Israel’s strategic determination to neutralise the group’s influence. The fight against Hezbollah, which has close ties to Iran, remains key to regional stability.
Israel has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Hezbollah to strengthen its position and threaten the country’s security. However, the conflict also has profound implications for Lebanon, which is suffering from internal political and economic crises, and could further complicate the situation.
