Tel Aviv, Israel, March 2 (ANI): The head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, Hassan Maklad, was killed in a precise strike in Beirut on Monday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
In a post on its official X account, the Israel Defense Forces said, “The IDF now confirms that in a precise strike in Beirut tonight, the terrorist Hassan Maklad, who served as the head of the intelligence headquarters of the terror organization Hezbollah, was eliminated. Additional details to follow.”
The development comes after the IDF conducted overnight retaliatory strikes on multiple Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said the group is “entering a fight it cannot win” as tensions escalate in West Asia.
In a video statement, IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said the Israeli military targeted several Hezbollah positions, including command and control centers, launch sites, and senior operatives.
“Overnight, the IDF carried out retaliatory strikes against several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including command and control centers, launch sites, and senior terrorists. We were ready for this,” Shoshani said.
He stated that as part of Israel’s preparations for its ongoing operation in Iran, the IDF had anticipated potential attacks from the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, enabling a swift response.
“As part of the preparations for our operation in Iran, the IDF prepared for an attack from Hezbollah, allowing us to carry out a swift response,” he added.
Shoshani also said Israeli aircraft were simultaneously striking targets in Iran, including in the capital, Tehran, and targeting what he described as underground bunkers belonging to the Iranian regime.
“As I am speaking right now, our aircraft are striking targets in Iran, including Tehran, such as underground bunkers of the terror regime. We are operating to eliminate any threats to our civilians and will continue doing so,” he said.
Warning Hezbollah against further escalation, Shoshani said, “Hezbollah is entering a fight it cannot win.”
His remarks come amid escalating tensions in West Asia following joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran that reportedly led to the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and members of his family on Sunday.
Following the strikes, Iran launched a wave of drone and missile attacks targeting multiple Arab countries in the region as retaliation by the Islamic Republic.
Earlier, The Times of Israel, citing Lebanon’s Health Ministry, reported that at least 31 people were killed and 149 others injured in overnight strikes carried out by the IDF across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh district.
According to the Times of Israel, the areas are known as Hezbollah strongholds; however, the ministry’s figures do not distinguish between civilians and Hezbollah members among the casualties. (ANI)
About The Author
