Targeting presumed new chief Safieddine: Israel's 73-ton strike signifies new escalation in Hezbollah conflict

Report by Petra Abou Haydar, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

After the killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, Israeli strikes are now targeting his potential successor, Hashem Safieddine, in the same area: the southern suburbs of Beirut.

At the time of the strike, Israel's Channel 14 reported that Safieddine was the intended target, while Channel 13 expressed "cautious optimism" regarding the outcome of the operation.

Hours have passed with no confirmation or denial of the assassination attempt from either Israel or Hezbollah.

The operation, which began late at night, targeted the Mrayjeh neighborhood. From the outset, it was evident that the strike was large and specifically aimed.

According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, 73 tons of explosives were used during the attack.

The scale of the strike suggests it was intended to penetrate deep underground, where Israel claims a Hezbollah leadership meeting was taking place. The impact caused tremors in nearby areas, with flames and smoke rising into the air.

Moreover, Reuters reported that this strike was more powerful than the one that targeted Nasrallah. 

The bombs used, designed to penetrate deep into the ground, were combined with the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) system, converting them into "smart bombs" that can be controlled remotely.