By Omar Tamo, Galit Altstein, and Dana Khraiche
In a dramatic escalation of ongoing hostilities, Israel has launched an airstrike targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at the group’s headquarters in Beirut. This strike represents the most significant assault on the Lebanese capital in nearly two decades, intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the operation as a “precise strike” conducted on Friday, targeting a command center linked to the Iran-backed militant group. This facility was reportedly located beneath residential buildings. An Israeli official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, indicated that Nasrallah was likely present during the attack. However, his exact location could not be independently verified.
The toll from the airstrike has begun to emerge, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirming at least six fatalities. State-run National News Agency reported that six buildings in the densely populated Haret Hreik neighborhood were destroyed, and rescue workers were seen extracting children from the rubble. In retaliation, Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, prompting air raid sirens in cities like Safed, where one home was directly hit.
This latest strike follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he reiterated his commitment to confront Hezbollah, disregarding U.S. calls for a ceasefire. The Israeli military has been active in southern Lebanon throughout the week, shifting its focus from its ongoing operations against Hamas in Gaza.
On Friday night, the IDF released a statement via social media platform X, confirming continued airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Beirut. “Among the targets struck are weapons production facilities, buildings used to store advanced weapons, and key command centers of the terrorist organization,” the IDF noted.
As the situation unfolds, concerns are mounting that this conflict could escalate into a regional war involving the United States and Hezbollah’s primary ally, Iran. The Iranian embassy in Beirut condemned the airstrikes as a “dangerous escalation that changes the rules of the game,” vowing that Israel would face repercussions for its actions.
The Pentagon has confirmed that the U.S. had “no advance warning” of the airstrike. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh addressed the media, stating that Secretary of State Antony Blinken was still gathering information on the incident, while also warning that the escalating violence poses a “perilous moment” for the region and the world.
Following the airstrike, Iran is expected to respond, although the nature and extent of its retaliation will depend on the perceived unity between the U.S. and Israel. A senior Israeli official indicated that Israel is wary of escalating the conflict further and would prefer to avoid a ground invasion of Lebanon. The official suggested that eliminating key Hezbollah leaders could shift the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli airstrikes have already claimed over 700 lives since the beginning of the week, with at least 50 of those being children, according to Lebanese officials. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee from southern and northeastern Lebanon as the bombardment continues.
In a televised address earlier on Friday, Hagari alluded to the possibility of targeting incoming flights to Beirut, stating that Israel would not allow the airport to become a conduit for weapons transfers.
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During his address at the UN, Netanyahu avoided any mention of the U.S.-led ceasefire initiative, insisting that Israel must take decisive action against Hezbollah. “As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice and every right to remove this threat,” he asserted. Following the strike, Netanyahu shared a photo approving the operation and indicated he would return to Israel earlier than planned, defying customary practices by traveling on the Jewish Sabbath.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati commented on the situation, indicating that recent events reflect Israel’s refusal to seek a ceasefire. Hezbollah, a dominant political force in Lebanon with considerable influence, faces criticism domestically for its alignment with Iran and for exacerbating tensions in the region.
As the conflict intensifies, the goals of both sides remain starkly opposed. Netanyahu aims to restore the security of northern Israeli communities that have endured nearly a year of persistent cross-border rocket fire initiated by Hezbollah in support of Hamas. Conversely, Hezbollah has vowed to continue its military operations until a ceasefire is established in Gaza, a resolution that appears increasingly elusive as negotiations stagnate.
At a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need for an end to hostilities in Lebanon, stating, “We need this ceasefire now. We cannot afford endless negotiations, as we have on Gaza.” As tensions remain high, the international community watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation in a region fraught with conflict.
