Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut on Friday, targeting the group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and demolishing several high-rise buildings. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least six people were killed and 91 injured in the massive explosions, marking one of the most severe attacks on the Lebanese capital in the past year. Rescue teams are still searching through the rubble, and the death toll is expected to rise.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his visit to the United States to return home following the strikes. Hours before, Netanyahu had addressed the United Nations, pledging to continue Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah, which further dims hopes for an internationally backed ceasefire.
Latest Developments: 09:36 (IST) 28 Sep 2024: In an attempt to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Israeli warplanes targeted residential buildings south of Beirut. Nasrallah was reportedly holding a leadership meeting in an underground bunker during the strike. According to Israeli officials, initial assessments suggest that Nasrallah may have been killed, though confirmation is pending.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least six people were killed and more than 90 injured during the strikes on Friday evening, with emergency workers still searching through the rubble.
Israel claimed responsibility for targeting Hezbollah’s headquarters and weapons depots in the densely populated Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut. While Israel claims Nasrallah was killed, no official confirmation has been received from Hezbollah.
The Israeli military also announced on Saturday that they had killed Hezbollah's missile unit commander, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hossein Ahmed Ismail, in southern Lebanon. The offensive has claimed over 700 lives in Lebanon over the past week, including civilians and Hezbollah operatives.
Seven buildings were demolished in Friday's strikes, with Israeli forces alleging that weapons were stored there, though Hezbollah denies these claims. Israeli forces have announced their next target will be the Tyre region in southern Lebanon.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the airstrikes, describing them as a "flagrant war crime." Netanyahu, who returned to Israel due to the ongoing crisis, vowed at the United Nations that Israel would continue its strikes to weaken Hezbollah.
Iran's foreign minister also criticized the United States for its support of Israel, accusing the U.S. of being complicit in what he described as war crimes. The U.S. has distanced itself from Israel’s latest offensive while still calling for a ceasefire.
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