Senior Hezbollah leader Wafiq Safa in 'critical condition' after IAF strike in Beirut - report

Safa "was seriously injured and is in critical condition," the sources claimed.

 Illustrative image of Senior Hezbollah security official Wafiq Safa in front of an image of Beirut during an Israeli airstrike. (photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES, REUTERS/EMILIE MADI)
Illustrative image of Senior Hezbollah security official Wafiq Safa in front of an image of Beirut during an Israeli airstrike.
(photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES, REUTERS/EMILIE MADI)

Senior Hezbollah security official Wafiq Safa was critically wounded during a Thursday Israel Air Force strike on Beirut, sources told Sky News Arabic on Friday.

Safa "was seriously injured and is in critical condition," the sources claimed.

According to Israeli media, the Israeli military conducted two airstrikes on the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh in the Lebanese capital on Thursday in an attack that reportedly aimed to eliminate the Hezbollah leader.

Safa is Hebollah's Liaison and Coordination Unit head

Israeli media reports also noted that Safa serves as Hebollah's Liaison and Coordination Unit head.

Subsequently, Sky News Arabic on Thursday reported that a security source claimed Safa "was injured but is still alive."

 A man walks on the rubble of damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon September 28, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/Ali Alloush)
A man walks on the rubble of damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon September 28, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/Ali Alloush)

Three security sources told Reuters the same thing on Thursday.

On Friday morning, CNN Arabic, citing a Lebanese security source, reported that the Israeli airstrike targeting Safa had demolished a residential building.

"The entire building fell," a witness reportedly told CNN. "There were many people inside."

The Lebanese Health Ministry claimed that at least 22 were killed, and another 117 were wounded in the strike.

This is a developing story.