Israel's military launched a significant airstrike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut, aiming to target the militant group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on Friday. The attack marked the heaviest bombardment in nearly a year of conflict, leveling multiple buildings in the Dahiyeh suburb, according to the Guardian.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Hezbollah's headquarters was hidden beneath civilian buildings in the densely populated area. The strike flattened four structures and caused widespread destruction across the southern suburbs.
This assault has heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with the Israeli military seeking to eliminate one of Iran's key regional allies. Nasrallah, Hezbollah's long-serving leader, is a prominent figure in the "axis of resistance," and his presence near Israel’s northern border has long acted as a deterrent to Israeli actions against Iran.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported two deaths and 76 injuries, with the toll expected to rise as rescue teams clear the rubble.
Footage from the scene suggests the use of ground-penetrating "bunker buster" munitions, as vertical flames were visible in the aftermath. Witnesses described large cracks forming in the ground, and ambulances were seen rushing to the site.
Hezbollah, however, denied that its leader was targeted. "There is no truth to any statement regarding an Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs," the group’s media office claimed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to the United States, following his UN General Assembly speech, to return to Israel. His office justified the operation as a crucial move in Israel’s fight against Hezbollah. "Israel is acting as any sovereign state would to protect its people," said IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari, who also accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields by hiding its headquarters beneath residential buildings.
The strikes occurred just hours after Netanyahu's UN speech, where he vowed to continue Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, despite international appeals for a ceasefire. Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the airstrikes as "mocking international calls for peace" and ordered the full mobilization of emergency resources in Beirut.
Iran’s embassy in Beirut called the airstrike a "game-changing escalation" and threatened to retaliate against Israel.
This week alone, over 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon, and health authorities report that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes has now surpassed 720.
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