The potential successor to Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has reportedly been unreachable since Friday, following an Israeli airstrike that allegedly targeted him. This attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, carried out by Israel, aimed at Hashem Safieddine in an underground bunker.

According to Lebanese security sources, ongoing Israeli strikes have hindered rescue efforts at the attack site. Israeli military officials stated they were still assessing the airstrikes, which were aimed at Hezbollah’s intelligence operations.

The potential loss of Safieddine would be another significant blow to Hezbollah and its ally Iran, especially as Israeli strikes have recently intensified, severely impacting Hezbollah’s leadership.

On Saturday, Israel expanded its military actions in Lebanon, including strikes in the northern city of Tripoli and continued bombings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, particularly in the Dahiyeh area, a Hezbollah stronghold.

These attacks have reportedly killed numerous civilians, including rescue workers, and displaced about 1.2 million people.

The strikes come amid ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has intensified since last year, with Israel aiming to protect its northern regions from rocket fire. In Tripoli, a recent strike on a Palestinian refugee camp resulted in casualties among members of Hamas and their families.

As the situation escalates, many residents in southern Beirut are fleeing to escape the destruction, while air raid sirens in northern Israel signal continued rocket fire from Lebanon.