Beirut, Lebanon - July 31, 2024

Storyline:
Hezbollah on Wednesday confirmed the death of its senior military commander Fouad Shokor in an Israeli attack in southern Beirut the day earlier.

Sources close to Hezbollah said earlier Wednesday that Shokor's body was found in the rubble of a building in Beirut's southern suburbs, Al-Jadeed local TV channel reported.

An Israeli drone fired on Tuesday evening three missiles at a position near the Shura Council of Hezbollah, aiming to target Shokor. The attack also killed at least five others -- three women and two children -- and wounded more than 70 others, according to the health ministry of the Lebanese caretaker government.

The attack completely destroyed the top three floors of the targeted eight-story building, and also damaged surrounding structures, despite a claim by the Israeli Defense Forces that it was a precision strike.

After the attack, Hezbollah confirmed Shokor's presence in the building.

Speaking during an exceptional Cabinet session on Wednesday, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli attack, warning of worsening conditions if Israel continues its "reckless and murderous madness".

Mikati stressed Lebanon does not want war and that the international community should call on Israel to cease fire and abide by the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to avoid escalation.

The same day, the Israeli army's chief of staff Herzi Halevi commented on the Beirut attack when inspecting a military exercise conducted by the Israeli army along the northern border with Lebanon. He pointed out that Israel is committed to driving Hezbollah away from the temporary Israel-Lebanon border, rather than a "return to Oct. 8".

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a letter to dozens of foreign ministries around the world that "Israel is not interested in an all-out war." He said that the "only way " to prevent "all-out war" with Hezbollah is the immediate implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that bans armed factions in southern Lebanon from being near the frontier with Israel.

Shotlist:
Beirut, Lebanon - July 31, 2024:
1. Various of damaged building, shattered windows in wake of Israeli strike;
2. Various of glass shards on ground;
3. Various of damaged building;
4. Various of rubble on ground; crew working at scene;
5. Soldiers.

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]