Hashem Safieddine, considered a likely successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, has been unreachable since Friday following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
According to Lebanese security sources, the strike, which targeted the southern suburbs of the city, reportedly aimed at an underground bunker where Safieddine was located. Three Israeli officials told Axios that Safieddine, a prominent figure in Hezbollah, was the target.
Israeli military sources have confirmed that the airstrikes targeted Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters. The strikes have complicated rescue efforts, as ongoing Israeli bombardments in Beirut’s southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, have hindered attempts to search the impacted areas. Hezbollah has yet to comment on Safieddine’s status, reported Reuters.
This escalation comes amid intensified Israeli operations in Lebanon, which have included strikes in Beirut and Tripoli, and military incursions into southern Lebanon. The recent Israeli strikes follow nearly a year of border skirmishes with Hezbollah, and occur in parallel to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli officials have acknowledged that their recent operations have severely impacted Hezbollah's leadership, with Nasrallah himself reported killed in a separate strike on September 27. However, the conflict has resulted in heavy civilian casualties in Lebanon, with hundreds of deaths reported, including rescue workers, and over a million people displaced.
Israel's campaign against Hezbollah has coincided with increasing tensions with Iran, Hezbollah's key backer.
Iran recently launched a missile strike against Israel, and Israeli officials are reportedly considering potential retaliatory actions, including the possibility of targeting Iranian oil facilities.
U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Israel to explore alternatives to striking Iran's energy infrastructure. In response to the mounting tensions, the U.S. has sent Army General Michael Kurilla to Israel for consultations.