Continued Attacks on Hezbollah Positions; Israeli Army Emphasizes Use of 'Human Shields' by the Group

In the continuation of Israel's attacks on Hezbollah positions, the Israeli army targeted central Beirut on Thursday evening, October 19th; the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that 22 people were killed and at least 117 others were injured in this attack. A Lebanese security source stated that a senior Hezbollah figure was targeted in the attacks on central Beirut on Thursday evening. Some media outlets identified this commander as 'Wafiq Safa,' but Hezbollah claimed that the assassination attempt on Wafiq Safa in Beirut failed and that the 'head of Hezbollah's communications and coordination committee' escaped the ambush. Meanwhile, the Israeli army released footage from one of the Shia villages in Lebanon near the Israeli border, stating that Hezbollah had turned the houses in this village into their weapons storage. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, displayed a large number of weapons stored in one of the border houses and stated that all village houses near the Israeli border have been turned into 'terror centers' by Hezbollah. These developments come as United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, reported that they were targeted by Israeli tanks on Thursday, injuring two of their personnel. In response, the Israeli army stated that they had warned UNIFIL forces before conducting operations in southern Lebanon and that the target of their operations was 'around' the UN peacekeeping base. Myri Eisen told Voice of America: Israel targets threats 'both overt and covert.' Three messages from the Saudi kingdom to the Islamic Republic; Bernard Haykel: Saudi Arabia wants to remain neutral in this war. Israeli Economy Minister: We must attack Iran. Reuters: Gulf Arab states have asked the U.S. to dissuade Israel from attacking Iran's oil facilities. Ongoing ambiguity regarding the status of the Quds Force commander; 'Middle East Eye': Qaani is under interrogation.