Israel today continued fierce air strikes on key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, Lebanon. The attacks, which began last night in the center of the capital city, sent thick smoke into the sky, spreading fear and chaos in densely populated civilian areas. The operation marks Israel’s most intense attacks on Beirut since it shifted its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon earlier this week.
The attacks reportedly targeted Hezbollah strongholds throughout Lebanon, with devastating consequences, including the deaths of hundreds of people. While Israeli television networks reported that Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was the primary target, according to news agency AFP, a Hezbollah source later claimed that Nasrallah was “fine”, although he went into hiding for years to avoid assassination attempts. Has happened. Nasrallah, who wields immense power in Lebanon, especially among his Shiite supporters, is widely seen as the only one capable of waging war or making peace.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the strikes resulted in the death of Muhammad Ali Ismail, commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit in southern Lebanon, his deputy, and other senior officials of the Iran-backed militia. Ahmed Ahmed, a local resident who fled his home in southern Beirut during the attacks, described the attack as “like an earthquake”, news agency AFP quoted him as saying.
The attacks continued in a second bombing wave, during which Israel claimed to target Hezbollah weapons depots housed within buildings in southern Beirut. Hezbollah denied the claim, while six buildings were reported razed to the ground and 91 people were reported injured, six of whom were confirmed dead. Following the attacks, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in retaliation, prompting the Israeli military to warn civilians in Hezbollah strongholds to evacuate immediately.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, vowing that Israel will continue its military campaign against Hezbollah until the northern border is fully secured. He claimed that Israel has the right to defend itself, declared that no relief would be given to Hezbollah, and hinted at a possible ground attack in Lebanon.
Netanyahu also issued a stern warning to Tehran and accused Iran of promoting violence through its support for Hezbollah. “If you attack us, we will attack you,” Netanyahu warned. He said Israel’s reach could extend to the entire Middle East if necessary.
As Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, several diplomats walked out in protest. There has been widespread condemnation of the devastating damage caused by the ongoing war in Gaza, with more than 42,000 people reported dead in the besieged area. Entire neighborhoods of Gaza have been reduced to rubble and hundreds of thousands of people displaced.
Nasrallah was targeted in Beirut
Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut on Friday evening were of unprecedented scale, reportedly involving tens of tons of explosives. Top Hezbollah officials were believed to have been present at the underground headquarters that was bombed, although reports from Hezbollah claimed that Nasrallah survived the attacks. Despite widespread destruction, with entire buildings leveled, there was no immediate confirmation of Nasrallah’s death, although speculation continued.
However, Israeli officials expressed confidence that the attacks had seriously affected Hezbollah’s command structure. In a televised statement, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed that the attack targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut’s Dahiyah suburb. The IDF also revealed that it had informed the United States about the airstrike while the operation was underway, but that the United States was not involved.
In response to the Beirut attacks, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian condemned the attack as a “gross war crime”, further escalating an already volatile situation.
The United Nations and international humanitarian organizations have expressed concern over the deadly situation in Lebanon. “We are witnessing the deadliest period in a generation in Lebanon, and many fear this is only the beginning,” UN humanitarian coordinator Imran Riza was quoted by news agency AFP.
