On Friday afternoon, Israel conducted a series of deadly airstrikes in the Dahiyeh district of southern Beirut, targeting buildings in a southern suburb in an attempt to assassinate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a key ally of Iran. The strikes have resulted in multiple casualties and significant destruction in the area, intensifying the ongoing conflict between the two sides. The situation remains tense as rescue efforts are underway and reports of further casualties emerge.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that two people were killed and 76 others injured, although this toll is expected to rise as rescue workers continue to clear the rubble. Footage from the attacks indicated the use of ground-penetrating munitions, known as bunker busters, with some videos showing flames erupting from beneath the ground.
According to information, Nasrallah was the primary target, and military sources were assessing whether he had been hit. However, sources close to Hezbollah informed Reuters that he remains alive.
This airstrike followed a belligerent speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly, where he affirmed that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah would persist despite international calls for a three-week ceasefire. Targeting Nasrallah, even if he was not harmed, signifies a dramatic escalation by Israel, as he is viewed as a crucial figure in Iran’s regional strategy and a key player in the axis of resistance.
Hezbollah’s substantial rocket arsenal along Israel’s northern border has long deterred Israeli military action against Iran and its nuclear ambitions. Iran’s embassy in Beirut condemned the airstrike, labeling it a “dangerous game-changing escalation” and warned of appropriate consequences for Israel.
As night fell in Jerusalem, Netanyahu’s office announced that he had personally approved the airstrike, sharing a photo of him on the phone with his military secretary and chief of staff during his stay in New York. His office also confirmed that he would cut short his US visit to return to Israel immediately.
