Israel Strikes Beirut, No Sign of Hezbollah's Nasrallah

By Chetna Gill

Cover Image Attribute: Israeli air strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs in Lebanon early Saturday morning. / Source: AFP

Israel intensified its airstrikes today, targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, Lebanon. These strikes, which began last night in the capital, filled the sky with thick smoke and spread fear in heavily populated civilian areas. The strikes have led to significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction, marking Israel's most severe assault on Beirut since shifting its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon earlier this week.
The strikes targeted alleged Hezbollah sites across Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties, with reports of hundreds dead. Israeli media indicated that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was a primary target. Still, a Hezbollah source, as reported by AFP, stated that Nasrallah was "fine," though he remains in hiding to avoid assassination attempts. Nasrallah, a central figure in Lebanon with solid Shiite support, is seen as crucial for either waging war or negotiating peace.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Muhammad Ali Ismail, Hezbollah's missile unit commander in southern Lebanon, along with his deputy and other key officials of the Iran-backed militia. Ahmad Ahmad, a local resident displaced by the strikes, likened the experience to "an earthquake," according to AFP.
A second wave of strikes followed, with Israel claiming to have hit Hezbollah weapons depots housed in buildings in southern Beirut. Hezbollah denied this, though reports surfaced of six destroyed buildings, 91 wounded, and six fatalities. In response, Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, leading the Israeli military to issue evacuation warnings for civilians in Hezbollah-controlled areas.

Benjamin Netanyahu's Warning

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Friday. He pledged that Israel would continue its military campaign against Hezbollah until the northern border was fully secured.  He emphasized Israel's right to self-defense, stating that there would be no let-up for Hezbollah and hinting at the possibility of a ground offensive in Lebanon, which could lead to potential consequences.
Netanyahu also directed a warning at Iran, accusing it of stoking the violence by supporting Hezbollah. "If you strike us, we will strike you," he said, implying that Israel's military could extend its reach throughout the Middle East if necessary.
During Netanyahu’s speech, many diplomats walked out in protest, largely in response to the ongoing war in Gaza, which has caused widespread devastation. The war in Gaza, which began October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 42,000 deaths, with entire neighborhoods destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people displaced.

Nasrallah Targeted in Beirut

Friday evening's Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut were massive, reportedly involving tens of tons of explosives. Hezbollah leaders were believed to be in the underground headquarters that were bombed, but Hezbollah claimed its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, survived the attack. Despite the destruction, with entire buildings leveled, there was no immediate confirmation of Nasrallah's death, leaving room for speculation and updates.
Israeli officials were confident that the strikes had severely disrupted Hezbollah's command structure. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced that the target was Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb. The IDF also noted that the U.S. had been informed of the strikes during the operation, though the U.S. was not involved.
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the attack, calling it a "blatant war crime," escalating tensions in the region. This condemnation is part of the growing international response to the conflict, keeping the global audience informed about the situation.
The UN and international humanitarian groups have expressed grave concern about the crisis in Lebanon. "We are witnessing the deadliest period in Lebanon in a generation, and many fear this is just the beginning," said UN humanitarian coordinator Imran Riza, as reported by AFP. 

With reporting by AFP

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