Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah HQ in Beirut, Sparking Fear \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Israeli military carried out a powerful airstrike on Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut’s Haret Hreik neighborhood, reducing six buildings to rubble and killing at least two people. This comes as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah, with fears of a wider conflict growing. Lebanese officials condemned the strike as more than 720 people have been killed in Lebanon this week.
Israeli Airstrikes in Beirut: Quick Looks
- Israel struck Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut, leveling six buildings.
- The strike caused massive explosions, rattling homes 30 kilometers from the city.
- At least two people were killed, and 76 were injured, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticized Israel, calling the strike proof that Israel ignores international cease-fire efforts.
- The Israeli military confirmed it targeted Hezbollah leadership and military infrastructure.
Deep Look:
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict took a dangerous turn on Friday evening, with a massive Israeli airstrike hitting Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut. The strike, described as the most powerful explosion in the Lebanese capital this past year, reduced six buildings in Beirut’s Haret Hreik neighborhood to rubble, and created shock waves that rattled windows as far as 30 kilometers away from the city.
Israel’s military confirmed that the target was Hezbollah’s main command center, hidden beneath residential buildings in the densely populated Shiite suburb. According to Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the operation was part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities. “We hit the heart of Hezbollah’s operations,” Hagari said, describing the strike as a “precise” operation.
The massive blasts, which occurred around nightfall, left behind craters and caused widespread destruction. Television footage showed scenes of chaos, with emergency workers running through the rubble, attempting to extinguish fires and pull out the injured. One video showed a car toppled into one of the craters created by the blasts. At least two people were killed, and 76 others were injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Of those injured, 15 were in serious condition, including a critically wounded child.
The strike targeted a densely populated, predominantly Shiite neighborhood long known as a Hezbollah stronghold. Local TV stations broadcast images of destroyed buildings and people scrambling to gather their belongings, fearing further airstrikes. Many residents were seen fleeing the area, while emergency workers struggled to reach the site due to the destruction.
The attack comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israel significantly ramping up its airstrikes in Lebanon over the past week. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 200,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began launching rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas. Israeli officials have vowed to continue their military campaign against Hezbollah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging to strike the militant group “with full force.”
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the airstrike, accusing Israel of ignoring international cease-fire efforts. “This is clear evidence that the Israeli enemy has no regard for international calls for peace,” Mikati said. He further called on the international community to intervene, warning that the situation was spiraling out of control.
Israeli officials have defended their actions, arguing that Hezbollah’s presence in civilian areas is part of its strategy of using the Lebanese population as human shields. “Hezbollah intentionally embeds its operations in residential areas to protect its terror network,” Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, regardless of its location.
Potential Escalation
One of the most significant aspects of the Israeli strike is its potential to spark a wider escalation in the region. Elijah J. Magnier, a senior political analyst based in Brussels, suggested that the airstrike could mark a turning point in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Magnier pointed out that Hezbollah has remained silent on the fate of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, since the airstrike. “This could indicate that they are either moving him to safety or that he’s been killed, and they are waiting to find his body,” Magnier said, noting that the group’s typical response is to conceal such information until confirmation.
He added that regardless of whether Nasrallah was killed, the strike gives Hezbollah “legitimacy” to begin bombing residential areas in Tel Aviv, further escalating the war. “We are entering a new phase of this conflict,” Magnier said. “This is likely to be a long and destructive war.”
Israeli news outlets reported that the airstrike may have been targeting Nasrallah himself, though this has not been officially confirmed. The speculation has heightened fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, especially if the militant group decides to retaliate by striking Israeli cities.
Casualties and Destruction
As of Friday night, Lebanese health officials confirmed at least two deaths and more than 70 injuries as a result of the airstrikes, but the true scale of the casualties could be much higher. Rescue workers were still combing through the rubble, searching for survivors, and hospitals were quickly filling with the wounded. Some reports indicated that dozens of people could be trapped under the collapsed buildings.
The Sahel Hospital, located near the site of the explosions, reported receiving at least 13 wounded, including 10 individuals in critical condition. Hospital manager Mazen Alameh said that the injuries were severe, and the hospital was struggling to cope with the influx of patients.
International Reaction
The international community has reacted with concern to the escalation in Lebanon. The United States and France have called for an immediate cease-fire, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to halt hostilities and prevent further civilian casualties. However, Netanyahu’s government has shown little interest in backing down, with the Israeli prime minister cutting short his visit to the U.S. and returning home following the strike. Netanyahu had been in New York to address the United Nations, where he reiterated Israel’s determination to continue its military campaign against Hezbollah.
The U.S. administration confirmed that it had not been given advance warning of the strike. White House officials said that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation shortly after delivering a eulogy at the funeral of a childhood friend. The Pentagon also stated that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was on the phone with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as the airstrike was happening, but did not receive prior notification about the operation.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
The ongoing conflict has led to a growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with tens of thousands of people displaced by the fighting. Many families have fled their homes in southern Lebanon and are now sheltering in makeshift camps, schools, and bus stations. Humanitarian organizations have warned that conditions are deteriorating, with many displaced families lacking access to basic necessities like food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Maureen Philippon, the country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the situation as dire. “Some villages have almost been entirely deserted amid large-scale destruction,” Philippon said. “Families are packed together in schools, bus shelters, and even their cars, unsure of where to go next.”
The humanitarian crisis is likely to worsen as the conflict intensifies, with both Israel and Hezbollah showing no signs of de-escalation. As the war continues, the Lebanese people are left to bear the brunt of the violence, with homes destroyed, lives lost, and countless families displaced from their communities.
Israeli Airstrike Targets Israeli Airstrike Targets
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