Israeli Overnight Strikes Hit Central Beirut and Kill Hezbollah-Linked Figures

On 18/03/2026, the Israel Defense Forces carried out extensive overnight airstrikes in central Beirut, marking an escalation of operations beyond previously targeted southern suburbs. The strikes hit buildings in neighborhoods including Bachoura, Zuqaq al-Blat, and Basta, areas that had largely avoided direct bombardment earlier in the conflict. Residents reported multiple explosions during the night, with several strikes conducted without formal evacuation warnings. Some individuals said informal alerts circulated on social media shortly before impact, but these were not widely distributed. Lebanese authorities reported that at least 10 people were killed and 27 injured in the overnight wave. Among those killed was Mohammad Sherri, identified as a broadcaster for Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television channel, along with his wife. Emergency crews responded to damaged residential buildings and commercial structures across central Beirut, while debris blocked roads in the affected neighborhoods. The strikes represented one of the most extensive attacks on central districts of the Lebanese capital during the March 2026 escalation. The Israeli military stated that the operation targeted financial and operational infrastructure linked to Hezbollah. The IDF reported striking assets connected to the Al-Qard al-Hasan Association, which Israel described as Hezbollah’s financial arm used to fund operations and salaries. Israeli statements also confirmed the killing of the commander of Hezbollah’s Imam Hussein Division during the strikes. According to the IDF, the commander had assumed the role roughly one week earlier after the death of his predecessor, Ali Muslim Tabaja, also known as Dhu al-Fiqar, who was killed on 11/03/2026. Israeli officials described the Imam Hussein Division as an Iranian-linked unit involved in coordination between Hezbollah and the IRGC Quds Force. The 18/03/2026 strikes followed several days of Israeli air operations in Beirut and southern Lebanon and occurred alongside continued rocket fire and drone attacks across the region.