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Israeli Strike in Beirut Kills 22, Targets Nasrallah’s Brother-in-Law Wafiq Safa

Oct 11, 2024, 05:15 AM

An Israeli airstrike hit central Beirut on Thursday, targeting a residential building in the densely populated district of Noueiri. The strike reportedly aimed at Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah official who is considered the group's 'Defense Minister' and is also the brother-in-law of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. According to the Lebanese health ministry, the attack resulted in at least 22 deaths and 117 injuries, making it the deadliest strike on central Beirut since the conflict began. Among the victims was a family who had fled Israel’s assault on southern Lebanon. While initial reports indicated that Safa survived the assassination attempt, later accounts suggest he was critically injured and is currently in a hospital in serious condition. The airstrike caused the targeted building to collapse, and rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors trapped under the rubble.