New Delhi: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday claimed that Hezbollah’s communications chief, Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, was killed in an airstrike on Beirut. The targeted operation, carried out by the Israel Air Force on Thursday, was based on intelligence reports.
Sakafi, who had been a key figure in Hezbollah since his appointment as head of its communications network in 2000, had longstanding ties with senior leaders within the organization.
His elimination marks a massive blow to Hezbollah’s internal operations, as noted by the IDF.
The IDF stated that Sakafi played a crucial role in building Hezbollah’s communications infrastructure.
His efforts were focused on maintaining seamless communication across all Hezbollah units, both during routine operations and in times of crisis, ensuring efficient information flow within the organization.
“Sakafi was a senior Hezbollah terrorist, who was responsible for the communications unit since 2000. Sakafi invested significant efforts to develop communication capabilities between all of Hezbollah’s units,” the IDF said.
‘More Surprises in Store’
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has hinted at further actions against Hezbollah, stating that Israel has “more surprises in store” as ground operations in southern Lebanon progress, according to a report by the Times of Israel.
“Hezbollah is receiving very severe blows, one after the other. We eliminated [Hezbollah chief Hassan] Nasrallah and we have more surprises in store, some of which have already been carried out and some of which will be carried out,” Gallant remarked during his visit to the 36th Division’s headquarters in northern Israel.
He also mentioned that the IDF is currently “carrying out an operation today in several villages, and this process will continue wherever necessary to destroy all the infrastructure from which Hezbollah planned to carry out attacks.”
The IDF has carried out raids in southern Lebanon, resulting in the discovery and confiscation of a cache of weapons. These included rocket launcher munitions, anti-tank missiles, and rockets. “24hr Operational Recap in Southern Lebanon: During precise intelligence-based raids, IDF troops discovered rocket launcher munitions, anti-tank missiles and rockets inside a residential home”, IDF wrote on X.
It added, “Additionally, dozens of weapons–aimed at Israeli territory–were left behind in buildings and civilian homes, including anti-tank missiles, firearms, observation posts and an explosive device buried by the enemy in the area.”
In the early hours of Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut, killing at least six people and injuring eight, according to Lebanese officials.
The IDF confirmed the operation, stating that soldiers, supported by aircraft, had “eliminated terrorists and dismantled terrorist infrastructure” using precision-guided munitions and close-range engagements in various locations in southern Lebanon.
One of the targets was a multi-story building in the Bachoura area of Beirut, which housed a Hezbollah-affiliated health center. Israel’s military described the strike as a “precision” attack aimed at Hezbollah-linked facilities.
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