A senior Hezbollah official narrowly escaped an Israeli assassination attempt during a series of deadly airstrikes in Beirut on Thursday. According to security sources cited by Reuters, the attempt on Wafiq Safa's life, who heads Hezbollah's liaison and coordination unit, was part of a broader wave of Israeli strikes that killed 22 people and left many injured. Safa, a key figure responsible for the group's political and security operations, was not present in the targeted buildings at the time of the attack, as confirmed by Hezbollah's Al Manar TV.

The airstrikes, among the deadliest in over a year, leveled two residential buildings in separate Beirut neighborhoods, leaving 117 people wounded. Lebanon's health ministry reported significant devastation, with an eight-story building completely destroyed and other buildings severely damaged. The strikes also endangered United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, resulting in injuries to two UNIFIL personnel and prompting widespread condemnation, including protests from Italy, which summoned Israel’s ambassador over the incident.

UN peacekeeping forces confirmed they would remain in southern Lebanon despite the escalating violence, which UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti described as one of the most serious situations they had faced recently.

The US State Department urged Israel to take measures to protect civilians during its military operations, while also affirming Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah. A US official emphasized that while the US supports Israel’s self-defense, the manner in which it conducts operations is crucial.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted a school in Gaza, killing at least 28 people, as reported by the Red Crescent. Israeli forces claimed the building was being used by militants, further intensifying the situation across multiple fronts. Amid these escalating tensions, US Vice President Kamala Harris called for a ceasefire and urged for de-escalation in the region.