Israel launched one of its largest airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, targeting Hezbollah’s top military headquarters. The attack was a bold move, aimed directly at Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. These airstrikes shook the city, causing massive explosions, and leaving large clouds of smoke visible even from areas as far as Batroun, an hour north of Beirut.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene, as several buildings were completely destroyed. Fires raged through the rubble, and emergency teams rushed in to search for survivors. Hezbollah’s TV channel, Al-Manar, reported that at least four buildings were reduced to debris, while other sources, like AFP, claimed the destruction was even greater, with six buildings obliterated. Despite the chaos, there were no immediate official reports on the number of casualties.
Rumors began swirling that Nasrallah, the mastermind behind Hezbollah’s operations, was either seriously injured or killed in the strike. Israeli media sources like Channel 12 and Channel 13 reported that there was “cautious optimism” within Israel that Nasrallah had been eliminated. Meanwhile, Hezbollah insisted their leader was unharmed, but no official confirmation of his whereabouts has emerged, leaving people on both sides of the conflict in suspense.
The airstrike wasn’t just an ordinary bombing – it was carefully planned and approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in New York at the time. Photos from his office showed him and Israeli military officials monitoring the operation from a hotel room, using secure communication tools. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and top military leaders were also closely watching from an underground command center in Israel.
The scale and precision of the attack suggest the use of bunker buster bombs, designed to penetrate deep into Hezbollah’s underground command center, hidden beneath civilian buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The destruction was catastrophic, leading to widespread fear and uncertainty in the city. The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) issued warnings for residents in nearby areas to evacuate, signaling that more strikes could follow.
As the news spread, Syrians opposed to Hezbollah began celebrating Nasrallah’s potential death. Hezbollah has long been involved in the Syrian Civil War, supporting the Assad regime, which has made them a hated figure among many Syrians.
The situation escalated when Iran, Hezbollah’s main ally, responded angrily to the attack. Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel and the United States, blaming them for the “barbaric” airstrike. Iran’s spokesman claimed this was a war crime and warned that both nations would have to answer for it.
U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, stated that the United States was not involved in the attack and did not receive advance warning of Israel’s plans. However, President Biden has been kept informed about the developments and has instructed his team to ensure U.S. forces and embassies in the region are fully protected.
As of now, the world is holding its breath, waiting to see if Nasrallah survived the attack and how Hezbollah and its backers will respond to this significant blow. The strike could mark a turning point in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with tensions set to rise even further.
