Lagatar24 Desk
Beirut: Israel continued its aggressive military campaign against Hezbollah with a series of intense airstrikes on the group’s key strongholds in southern Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday. These attacks, which began the previous night, sent shockwaves through the Lebanese capital, devastating residential areas and raising fears of an escalating conflict.
Despite widespread destruction and the deaths of hundreds of people, Israeli forces failed to locate Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The elusive Hezbollah chief, who has been in hiding for years to avoid assassination, remains a significant figure in the conflict, with Israeli television networks reporting him as the primary target of these airstrikes. A Hezbollah source confirmed to AFP that Nasrallah is “fine,” despite the bombardment.
Key Hezbollah Commanders Killed
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have struck Hezbollah’s missile unit commander, Muhammad Ali Ismail, along with his deputy and other senior figures of the Iran-backed militia. Local reports described the devastation in southern Beirut, with residents like Ahmad Ahmad, who fled his home during the strikes, likening the explosions to “an earthquake.”
The IDF also targeted Hezbollah’s alleged weapons depots, hidden within civilian buildings. While Israel claimed it destroyed critical weapons caches, Hezbollah denied these assertions, calling the strikes an act of aggression against innocent civilians. The airstrikes levelled six buildings, injuring 91 people and killing six, according to local reports.
Hezbollah Retaliates
In response, Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, prompting Israeli military warnings for civilians in Hezbollah-controlled areas to evacuate immediately. The retaliation further intensified the already volatile situation along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Netanyahu’s Vow at the UN
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s determination to neutralize the Hezbollah threat. He warned that military operations would continue until the northern border was secure, hinting at a potential ground offensive in Lebanon.
Netanyahu also directly accused Iran of fueling Hezbollah’s aggression, stating, “If you strike us, we will strike you.” His remarks drew protests, with several diplomats walking out of the UN Assembly during his speech.
International Reactions and Humanitarian Concerns
The United Nations and international humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over the escalating violence. UN humanitarian coordinator Imran Riza described the situation in Lebanon as the “deadliest period in a generation,” with fears that the conflict may only worsen. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s strikes as a “flagrant war crime,” further inflaming tensions in the region.
As Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah retaliations continue, the possibility of a broader regional conflict looms large, with both sides seemingly unwilling to de-escalate.
