On November 18, 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of Mohammed Afif, the Chief Propagandist and Spokesperson of Hezbollah, through an airstrike targeting central Beirut. This operation marks another significant escalation amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to the IDF, Afif was not merely a voice for the militant group but was deeply embedded as a senior operative who maintained high-level contacts and actively participated in Hezbollah’s military strategies against Israel. The IDF accused him of glorifying acts of terrorism and inciting violence against Israel through messages disseminated to Lebanese media audiences. These actions, they claimed, fueled psychological warfare aimed at undermining Israeli morale.
Afif's history with Hezbollah dates back to the 1980s, during which he served as a media advisor to the group's late commander, Hassan Nasrallah, who himself was assassinated by Israeli forces just weeks earlier. His longstanding role within the organization solidified his position as a leading figure within Hezbollah's propaganda efforts.
The airstrike hit a multi-story building located in the Ras al-Nabaa area of Beirut, reportedly without prior warning for evacuation. Casualties were severe; at least four people died as per the Lebanese Health Ministry’s updated report. Local sources indicated the strike may have also targeted Mahmoud Madi, Hezbollah's head of operations on the southern front, though Madi's current status remains unclear.
Multiple eyewitness accounts reported two missiles straying toward the Madi Technology electronics shop owned by Mahmoud Madi’s brother, which resulted in substantial damage and flames engulfing surrounding structures. This successful strike by Israeli forces came barely weeks after heightened military operations from Israel ingressed across the northern border to counter Hezbollah’s activities.
Since the conflict's resurgence after Hezbollah launched attacks from Lebanon, Israel responded with intense aerial bombardments starting September 23, leading to the subsequent aerial confrontation and ground operations initiated by Israel. With tensions persisting and military engagements increasing intensity, many fear the region's stability is precariously balanced.
Local news outlets like Xinhua reported on the aftermath, indicating immediate action from civil defense teams who fought to quell the raging fires triggered by the explosion, offering emergency services to the injured.
This latest event adds another chapter to the volatile Israel-Hezbollah narrative, which has seen multiple acts of military engagement and cross-border hostilities over the past months. How this development will influence future engagements and the potential for wider conflict remains to be seen.
