Israel airstrikes Lebanon capital, Hezbollah leadership candidate killed

According to the Times of Israel, on October 5, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued its airstrikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut, targeting Hezbollah intelligence facilities in the area.

"We took measures to minimize damage to civilians, including the use of guided bombs, issuing evacuation orders and providing aerial surveillance," the IDF said.

Local media reported that several large explosions occurred in Beirut overnight, causing huge fires. There are no specific statistics on the damage caused by the IDF airstrikes.

On the same day, the IDF expanded its air campaign to the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. The IDF's campaign was carried out in the context of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he would increase his forces in the fighting with Hezbollah.

On the other side of the front line, Hezbollah forces announced a missile attack on Israel's Ramat David air base, about 45km from the Lebanese border. In addition, Hezbollah also caused the IDF to lose another tank in southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours.

Regarding the fighting situation between Israel and Hezbollah, Sky News revealed that Mr. Hashem Safieddine, the candidate for the next Hezbollah leader, may have been killed after an IDF airstrike in Dahieh on October 4.

Lebanese security sources said Hezbollah had lost contact with Safieddine since October 4. Rescuers have not yet been able to reach the site of the airstrike, but the chances of any survivors are low.

Hezbollah has yet to make an official announcement on the condition of Mr. Safieddine. Mr. Safieddine is a cousin of the late leader Hassan Nasrallah and has been with Hezbollah since its early days.