The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents in specific areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs late Friday, following strikes on what it identified as Hezbollah’s central headquarters. The announcement, made via social media by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, instructed residents to remain at least 500 meters away from three targeted buildings. This marked the first such directive for the densely populated neighborhoods south of Beirut.
A source close to Hezbollah confirmed to Reuters that the group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was alive, while Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported his safety. Hezbollah’s media office dismissed claims regarding the Israeli strikes but remained silent on Nasrallah’s condition.
An Israeli official stated that the strike aimed at senior Hezbollah commanders, although it was too soon to ascertain whether Nasrallah was present during the attack. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, described the incident as targeting a “meeting of bad people” who were allegedly plotting further attacks on Israel. He characterized Nasrallah as a terrorist responsible for the deaths of many.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, two individuals were killed and 76 injured in the strikes, a preliminary tally of casualties. Hezbollah’s al-Manar television reported significant destruction, stating that four buildings had been leveled and numerous casualties reported from the multiple attacks. Live broadcasts showed the aftermath, with search and rescue teams active among the debris.
The Israeli military claimed the strikes were “precise” and pointed out that Hezbollah’s headquarters were situated within residential areas of the Dahiyeh district. Over the past week, Israel has conducted multiple operations against southern Beirut, with Friday’s assault being notably more intense.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari noted that the command center was embedded deeply within civilian locales. This attack followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow at the U.N. to continue targeting Iranian-backed fighters in Lebanon, amidst growing tensions in the region.
In response to the strikes, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed that Israel’s actions demonstrated a disregard for calls for a ceasefire. Iran’s embassy in Lebanon condemned the attack, labeling it a dangerous escalation that would warrant a proper response.
Concern over the escalation was echoed at the United Nations, where France and other nations called for an immediate halt to the violence, with French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere highlighting the devastation and casualties from the recent strikes.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the belief in resolving conflicts through diplomacy, despite the challenging atmosphere. The strikes in Beirut represented the most severe Israeli assault in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah over the past year.
Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets at the Israeli city of Safed, resulting in minor injuries reported. Netanyahu asserted Israel’s right to act against threats posed by Hezbollah during his speech at the U.N., and he announced plans to shorten his trip to return to Israel.
The U.S. was not informed in advance of the attack, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in communication with Israeli officials during the operation. Israel’s military objectives focus on ensuring the safe return of displaced individuals in the north of Israel due to Hezbollah attacks.
Recent escalations have resulted in over 700 fatalities in Lebanon, raising fears of an intensifying and destructive conflict. In a statement, Hezbollah confirmed its rocket fire toward Safed following the Israeli strikes.
With unconfirmed reports regarding the fate of Nasrallah, Israeli officials acknowledged the uncertainty, remarking that if he were alive, information would soon emerge. They expressed that the current situation necessitates aggressive actions to counter threats from Iran-backed militias in the region, emphasizing a decisive aim to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities. The official noted previous strategies in the conflict and highlighted the critical nature of Nasrallah’s leadership within Hezbollah.