Israel confirms killing of Hezbollah intelligence chief Hussein Moukalled in Beirut strike. IDF issues evacuation warning, Lebanon PM condemns armed operations.
Israel confirms killing of Hezbollah intelligence chief Hussein Moukalled in Beirut strike [Photo: X]
Israel has confirmed the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in a targeted strike in Beirut, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group. The Israeli military said it eliminated Hussein Moukalled, who headed Hezbollah’s intelligence operations, during a precise overnight operation.
The strike came amid renewed rocket fire from Lebanon toward northern Israel. As hostilities intensify, Israeli forces have also struck multiple Hezbollah-linked sites and issued evacuation warnings to civilians in parts of Beirut. Lebanese leaders, meanwhile, have reacted strongly, deepening the political and security crisis in the region.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that it had carried out a targeted strike in Beirut that killed Hussein Moukalled, the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters.
🔴ELIMINATED: Hussein Makled, the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters was eliminated in a precise strike in Beirut.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 2, 2026
"The IDF now confirms that in a precise strike in Beirut last night (Sunday), the terrorist Hussein Moukalled, who served as the head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, has been eliminated," the army said in a statement on Monday.
🔴 In response to projectile fire toward northern Israel, the IDF is striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 2, 2026
Hezbollah is operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against the Israeli civilians, and bringing ruin to Lebanon.
IDF troops have prepared for such a…
The strike followed rocket launches from Lebanon into Israel. The IDF said it responded by targeting senior Hezbollah figures and operational sites in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Hussein Moukalled served as the chief of Hezbollah’s intelligence unit, a critical wing responsible for gathering military intelligence, coordinating operations and supporting strategic planning against Israel.
As intelligence head, he reportedly oversaw surveillance networks, operational planning and coordination with Iranian-linked command structures. His role placed him among Hezbollah’s senior leadership ranks, making him a key target in Israel’s ongoing campaign against the group.
His killing represents one of the most high-profile strikes in Beirut in recent months and signals Israel’s willingness to target top-level operatives inside Lebanon’s capital.
The Israeli military confirmed that it also struck multiple command centres and weapons facilities connected to Hezbollah. "In response to the rockets fired from Lebanon to Israel, the IDF precisely struck senior Hezbollah terrorists in Beirut, dozens of Hezbollah & Iranian terrorist regime command centres, and a site that was used by Hezbollah to store weapons in Tyre," the IDF Said.
The military also reported hitting a weapons storage facility near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. Officials described the strikes as precise and intelligence-driven. "The IDF is prepared for a multiple-front scenario and to combat any threat posed to Israel and Israeli civilians," the IDF added.
Israeli officials indicated that forces remain on high alert and are ready for further escalation if attacks continue.
Ahead of one anticipated strike, the IDF issued a public evacuation warning for residents in Burj al-Barajneh, a southern suburb of Beirut known for its Hezbollah presence. Lieutenant Colonel Ella Waweya posted the warning on X, urging civilians to leave immediately.
"You are located near facilities and assets belonging to Hezbollah, where the (Israeli military) will act against them forcefully in the near term," she said.
"For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and those adjacent to it immediately and stay away from them by a distance of at least 300 metres," the post stated. The message included a map marking the targeted area.
Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam strongly criticised Hezbollah’s independent military activities. He described the group’s armed operations as “illegal acts” and called on Hezbollah to surrender its weapons to the Lebanese state. He stressed that any military action launched from Lebanese territory outside official state authority is unacceptable.
Salam said Hezbollah should limit its role to political engagement and urged Lebanon’s security institutions to enforce state control. He also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the 2024 ceasefire agreement with Israel and signalled openness to restarting negotiations with international support.
The latest strike increases the risk of broader regional escalation. Israel has already signalled readiness to operate across multiple fronts if necessary. Continued rocket fire from Lebanon could prompt further targeted operations in Beirut and southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not yet issued a detailed public response regarding Moukalled’s death, but analysts expect retaliation attempts.
With diplomatic channels under strain and military operations intensifying, the Israel-Lebanon border remains one of the most volatile flashpoints in the Middle East. Civilian safety concerns are rising as both sides exchange warnings and strikes. For now, the situation remains fluid, and the possibility of a wider confrontation cannot be ruled out.
