Beirut struck in ‘highly sophisticated’ Israeli operation; analysts cite possible communications breach

Report by Bassam Abou Zeid, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

A highly sophisticated, intelligence-driven military operation is how Lebanese security sources described the Israeli air attack on Wednesday.

The coordinated assault, carried out by dozens of fighter jets, lasted just 10 minutes and targeted Beirut and its southern suburbs, as well as several areas in Mount Lebanon, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa region. The strike was prepared in advance at the intelligence level.

Its targets included Hezbollah officials and members, along with headquarters, command and control centers, intelligence sites, central bodies, and infrastructure linked to firepower and naval systems.

Details of the attack have not yet fully emerged, but many military analysts said it may have resulted from a breach of a video-based communications system used by Hezbollah. This would have allowed Israel to pinpoint the locations of the targets, who were believed to be present at the time of the strikes.

The scale of the attack was significant, affecting both civilians and Hezbollah members.

Hezbollah has not officially announced the deaths of any officials or leaders within its ranks.

However, the Israeli military said it killed Ali Youssef Harshi, the personal assistant to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem.

Pro-Hezbollah social media pages, meanwhile, reported the deaths of Fadel Abbas Najm, described as an aide to Qassem; Issam Najib Shouaib, a field commander; Hajj Yahya Hadraj, who was killed in Hay el-Sellom; and Sheikh Sadek Naboulsi.