{"id":2369964,"date":"2024-11-17T12:21:02","date_gmt":"2024-11-17T17:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-kills-hezbollah-spokesman-in-central-beirut-airstrike-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-17T12:23:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-17T17:23:06","slug":"israel-kills-hezbollah-spokesman-in-central-beirut-airstrike-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-kills-hezbollah-spokesman-in-central-beirut-airstrike-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel kills Hezbollah spokesman in central Beirut airstrike &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fisrael-kills-hezbollah-spokesman-in-central-beirut-airstrike-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2369964&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a significant escalation of military conflict, Israel conducted \u200can airstrike in \u200ccentral Beirut, resulting in\u200b the death of Mohammed Afif, Hezbollah&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/syria-airstrikes-sent-very-strong-signal-pentagon-says\/\" title=\"Syria Airstrikes Sent \u2018Very Strong Signal,\u2019 Pentagon Says\">chief spokesman<\/a>. This\u200d operation marks a rare attack in\u2064 the heart\u200d of\u2064 Lebanon, confirming longstanding\u200d tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Sources from both Hezbollah and Lebanese security authorities acknowledged Afif&#8217;s death,\u2064 which occurred during a strike \u2062targeting a\u200b location associated with the Syrian Social Nationalist Party. This event is part \u2063of \u2063a broader pattern of targeted \u200ckillings aimed at senior\u2063 Hezbollah figures in recent months, severely\u2064 impacting \u200cthe group&#8217;s \u200bleadership. The ongoing violence \u2062has resulted in \u2064a significant death toll in Lebanon, with over \u20643,400 fatalities reported since the onset of intensified hostilities on October 7, 2023. Israeli forces have adopted \u200da more cautious approach in this invasion compared to previous conflicts, navigating a\u200c slow\u2064 and calculated advance through southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has struggled to\u2063 respond effectively.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Israel kills Hezbollah spokesman in central Beirut airstrike<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1867907\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Israel killed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hezbollah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Hezbollah's\">Hezbollah&rsquo;s<\/a> chief spokesman in a rare central <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lebanon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Hezbollah's\">Beirut<\/a> airstrike.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>An anonymous Hezbollah official <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-iran-060c45c86b937d255270d272590884a6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"confirmed\">confirmed<\/a> the death of Mohammed Afif to the <em>Associated Press<\/em>, while two Lebanese security sources <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/israeli-strike-beirut-kills-hezbollah-media-relations-chief-security-sources-say-2024-11-17\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"confirmed\">confirmed<\/a> it to <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3220757\/what-happens-donald-trump-president-elect\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT TRUMP IS PRESIDENT-ELECT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The source speaking with the <em>Associated Press<\/em> said Afif was killed in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-welcomes-israel-palestinian-authority-ceasefire\/\" title=\"White House welcomes Israel-Palestinian Authority ceasefire\">airstrike targeting<\/a> the pan-Arab socialist Ba&rsquo;ath Party headquarters &mdash; the once preeminent Arab political movement that has since faded into relative obscurity following the toppling of Saddam Hussein and crippling of Syria.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hezbollah&rsquo;s chief spokesman Mohammed Afif speaks during a press conference in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo\/Hussein Malla, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, the two sources speaking with <em>Reuters<\/em> said that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/there-is-only-one-u-s-leader-putin-actually-fears\/\" title=\"There Is Only One U.S. Leader Putin Actually Fears\">airstrike targeted<\/a> the offices of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party &ndash; a pan-Syrian nationalist movement seeking the establishment of a &ldquo;Greater Syria,&rdquo; known for its militant opposition to Israel and alliance with Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3222249\/how-kamala-harris-plowed-through-1-billion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>HOW KAMALA HARRIS PLOWED THROUGH $1 BILLION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ali Hijazi, head of the Lebanese branch of the Ba&rsquo;ath Party, told Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed that Afif was in the building when it was destroyed. Hijazi <a href=\"https:\/\/www.memri.org\/tv\/lebanon-baath-party-leader-ali-hijazi-disgrace-hizbullah-fight-along-israel-invade-galilee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"pledged\">pledged<\/a> to fight Israel alongside Hezbollah in July.<\/p>\n<p>His death is the latest in a string of assassinations targeting dozens of senior Hezbollah members over the past few months, killing nearly the entirety of the militant group&rsquo;s leadership.<\/p>\n<p>No death toll has yet been given, but an <em>Associated Press <\/em>photographer reported seeing four corpses and four wounded. No evacuation order was given in the lead-up to the strike.<\/p>\n<p>According to Lebanon&rsquo;s Health Ministry, over 3,400 people have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023, with most of these occurring during the intense Israeli bombardment preceding ground operations in September and October.<\/p>\n<p>Israel has taken a much more cautious approach in its invasion of Lebanon, compared to the three previous invasions, resulting in a snail&rsquo;s pace advance through southern Lebanon. Despite the small territorial gains of the Israel Defense Forces, it has gotten the better of Hezbollah, which has largely avoided direct contact. <\/p>\n<p>In contrast to its vigorous, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3185514\/last-time-israel-invaded-lebanon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"expected massive missile bombardment\">well-organized defense during the 2006 war<\/a>, Hezbollah has failed to effectively engage the IDF or inflict significant casualties. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2451230\/israel-war-what-would-a-war-between-hezbollah-and-israel-look-like\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"expected massive missile bombardment\">expected massive missile bombardment<\/a> utilizing the group&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">colossal missile arsenal hasn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t materialized.<\/p>\n<p>The Institute for the Study of War estimated that Israel&rsquo;s decapitation operations, air campaign targeting logistics and command and control centers, and commando raids have thrown Hezbollah into disarray.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of an organized defense, a report found that it&rsquo;s &ldquo;instead showing limited resistance in some sectors while abandoning others in a way that shows no clear plan or pattern of operations. Hezbollah&rsquo;s failure so far demonstrates that its military forces are in disarray.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Oct. 30 report also estimated that Israel&rsquo;s slow pace is purposeful.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Criticisms directed at the IDF&rsquo;s slow pace of operations ignore Israeli operational design and lessons learned in the Gaza Strip. Some Lebanese officials implied that the Israeli operation is failing because IDF forces have not penetrated deep into Lebanon,&rdquo; the report read. &ldquo;The IDF&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-cumulus-media-employees-are-required-to-receive-covid-vaccine-before-returning-to-the-office-leaked-memo-reveals\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE: Cumulus Media Employees Are Required To Receive COVID Vaccine Before Returning To The Office, Leaked Memo Reveals\">slow movement<\/a> is a deliberate choice designed to root out and destroy Hezbollah tunnel infrastructure methodically.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1867907\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1867907\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Israel conducts airstrike in Beirut, killing Hezbollah spokesman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2369965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Hezbollah-spokesman.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3942,36684,24658,4671],"class_list":["post-2369964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-airstrike","tag-beirut","tag-hezbollah","tag-israel"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Hezbollah-spokesman.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2369964"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2369968,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2369964\/revisions\/2369968"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2369965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2369964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2369964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2369964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}