Escalation in Beirut: Israeli Strikes Target Hezbollah Amid Rising Tensions
On September 28, Israel's military initiated a new wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley. This came just a day after a series of intense bombings targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other high-ranking officials within the militant group. While the fate of Nasrallah remains uncertain following these strikes, Israeli media have reported the death of his daughter, Zainab Nasrallah; however, this has not been confirmed by Hezbollah.
A senior Israeli official indicated that the strikes aimed to eliminate top commanders within Hezbollah. When asked about the possibility of having succeeded in targeting Nasrallah, the official stated, "I think it's too early to say. Sometimes they hide the fact when we succeed."
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, is deemed a terrorist organization by the United States while the European Union has designated its armed wing as such but allows the political party to operate within the Lebanese parliament. In a statement, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israeli army, confirmed that the terrorist group’s main headquarters located underneath residential buildings was a specific target.
Witnesses and amateur videos capturing the aftermath revealed extensive destruction in the neighborhood, with multiple buildings reduced to rubble. Reports suggested that the Israeli military struck at least three additional buildings in southern Beirut, which they claimed were used by Hezbollah to store weapons. Residents were urged to evacuate these sites prior to the attacks. Israeli forces also conducted strikes in the ancient coastal city of Tyre.
In a Show of Force, Israel stated that warplanes were now patrolling near Beirut’s airport, emphasizing its determination to prevent Iran from supplying arms to Hezbollah via this crucial transport hub.
Speculation surrounding Nasrallah's safety has grown, with no official reports clarifying his condition following the recent airstrikes. Under his leadership, Hezbollah has forged significant ties with Iran and other Iranian-affiliated groups, assisting them in training and equipping their militias.
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV reported significant destruction from the airstrikes, with initial counts of casualties suggesting at least six fatalities and over 90 injuries according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Shahan Kandaharian, editor-in-chief of the Armenian-language Azdak daily based in Beirut, described the powerful explosions reverberating through the region, confirming that they originated from an Israeli airstrike targeting Hezbollah's southern Beirut headquarters.
The Pentagon indicated that the United States had no prior knowledge of the Israeli military operation. Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh clarified that the U.S. was not involved in this latest escalation.
Prior to the airstrikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had issued a stern warning at the United Nations, asserting that military action against Hezbollah would persist. In his address, he directed a clear message to Iran, declaring, "There is no place in Iran that Israel can't reach if the Islamic republic continues to try and strike Israel," committing to the continued degradation of Hezbollah until all Israeli objectives are met. Netanyahu concluded that Israel was not only defending itself but also shielding others from a shared threat that seeks to undermine their lifestyles through violence and terrorism.
Related Sources: