Wafiq Safa, the head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit, is fighting for his life after being seriously injured in Israeli airstrikes that rocked central Beirut on Thursday. According to Sky News Arabia, cited by the Times of Israel, Safa sustained critical injuries in the attack.
The strikes, which targeted residential areas in central Beirut, caused widespread devastation and claimed the lives of at least 22 people, while injuring over 117 others. These attacks marked the deadliest assault on central Beirut since the beginning of the conflict, and the first time Israel targeted this particular area.
Safa, a key figure in Hezbollah’s operations, is responsible for managing the group’s foreign relations and plays a pivotal role in its security apparatus. His recent visit to the United Arab Emirates in March, a potential sign of thawing relations between Hezbollah and the Gulf, underscores his importance. He has also been a vocal critic of the investigation into the devastating Beirut port explosion, threatening the judge leading the inquiry after he sought to interrogate officials affiliated with Hezbollah.
The US Treasury Department, which sanctioned Safa in 2019, described him as Hezbollah’s primary link to the Lebanese security forces. They accused him of exploiting Lebanon’s ports and border crossings to smuggle contraband and facilitate Hezbollah’s travel, undermining Lebanese security and siphoning revenue from the government.
The attempt on Safa’s life signals a significant shift in Israel’s targeting strategy. While previously focusing on Hezbollah’s military leaders and commanders, Israel is now expanding its scope to include figures responsible for both security and political matters.
Safa’s survival remains uncertain, but the attack highlights the increasing tension between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict’s trajectory, with this escalation in targeting key figures, remains a source of concern for regional stability and the Lebanese population.
