Israel has claimed that it killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike, marking a significant escalation in the already volatile Middle East situation. The claim, however, has not yet been confirmed by Iranian authorities.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Khatib was “eliminated” during the operation, as Israel continued a series of coordinated strikes across multiple locations. The development comes amid intensifying exchanges between Israel, Iran and allied groups.
In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes hit several places, including central Beirut, where at least 10 people were killed and 27 others injured, according to local officials.
One of the strikes reportedly destroyed a building in a busy commercial district, indicating a widening scope of targets beyond traditional Hezbollah strongholds.
Israel said its operations were aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s financial networks, command centres and weapon storage facilities.
Retaliatory attacks followed soon after. Missile strikes targeting Israel killed at least two people in Tel Aviv, while air defence systems were activated across several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to intercept incoming drones and missiles.
Tensions have also intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. The United States said it carried out strikes on Iranian missile sites near the strategic waterway.
The conflict has further deepened following recent killings of senior Iranian figures, including Ali Larijani, raising fears of a broader regional war. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, particularly in Lebanon, where mass displacement and casualties are mounting.
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