IDF Strikes Hezbollah Headquarters In Huge Blast In Beirut, Suspense Over Hassan Nasrallah

Beirut: Israel on Friday launched its biggest-ever airstrike on Beirut in almost a year of conflict striking the Hezbollah Headquarters in what Israeli media reported as an attempt to kill Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Amidst the ongoing strike, several Israeli media reported that Hassan Nasrallah was killed in the heaviest Israeli attack in Lebanon since the 2006 war, the day Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep the momentum going in Southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is weakened, during his powerful speech at the general assembly of the United Nations. However, the suspense looms over the death of the Hezbollah chief with several foreign media not confirming his death, unlike the Israeli media. 

Israel’s Channel 12 News reported the incident with headlines such as “The assessment in Israel: Nasrallah is eliminated.” Another Israeli TV channel Channel 13, stated, “Cautious optimism in Israel: The strike on Nasrallah succeeded.” However, the official confirmation on these reports is yet to be issued.

According to the reports, the Israeli airstrike on a Hezbollah bunker in Beirut reportedly resulted in the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. If the reports turn out to be true, then it will be considered as a cap on an impressive ten-day campaign that began with the simultaneous detonation of Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies.

Now, with the reports of the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, it is being considered as the collapse of Hezbollah.

The experts say that not only could the decapitation of Hezbollah avert a wider war between Israel and Lebanon, but it could also bring freedom to the Lebanese people whom Hezbollah has for too long held hostage and whose aspirations for a Western-oriented state Hezbollah has blocked.

This development came up on the day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing Israel's right to defend itself and pushing back against criticisms of its military actions. In his speech, Netanyahu declared that Israel is "fighting for its life" in response to ongoing conflict, while also focusing on the broader issue of peace in the Middle East.

Biggest Air Strike In Year Of Conflict

Israel launched its biggest air strike on Beirut in almost a year of conflict with the Lebanese group Hezbollah. As per the reports by the Israeli media, the air strike was aimed at killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The air strike levelled a number of buildings in a southern suburb including Hezbollah’s headquarters.

Multiple explosion sounds were heard across the Lebanese capital late on Friday afternoon, and multiple vast plumes of smoke were visible from several kilometres away.

Earlier, the Lebanese health ministry said two people had died and 76 were injured, describing this as a preliminary figure, while some early estimates put the number of dead at 300. More casualties are expected as rescue workers clear rubble.

Some Foreign Media Outlets Denied Nasrallah’s Elimination

On Friday, the air strikes were reportedly carried out with ground-penetrating munitions known as bunker busters. In some footage, a vertical jet of flame was visible as a bomb appeared to explode beneath the ground.

Israeli media reported that Nasrallah was the target and that the military was checking whether he had been hit. Other media outlets quoted Hezbollah sources saying he was “alive and well”. Late on Friday, the militant group’s media office said that there was “no truth to any statement” about the Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, without specifying what statements it was referring to.

The strikes came shortly after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu , told the UN general assembly in a bellicose speech marked by the walkout of dozens of diplomats that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah would continue despite international efforts to secure a three-week ceasefire.

Netanyahu Cut Short His Visit To New York

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , meanwhile cut his visit short to New York and preponed his return to Israel after a significant escalation in hostilities, marked by a massive airstrike in the south of Beirut targeting Hezbollah’s leadership. Netanyahu, who had just finished addressing the United Nations General Assembly, was set to depart on Saturday evening but will now fly back ahead of the Jewish Sabbath, signalling the gravity of the situation.

IDF Confirmed Strike On Hezbollah HQs

Shortly after Netanyahu's speech at the UN, a powerful explosion was heard in Dahiya, a southern suburb of Beirut dominated by Hezbollah. According to Israeli officials cited in multiple reports, the airstrike was aimed at Hezbollah's central headquarters, in what is considered the largest Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since the 2006 war. The primary target was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, though there is no confirmation yet on his status or whether he was present at the time of the strike.

'Changes Rules Of The Game': Iran

Iran’s embassy in Lebanon says on X that the Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs targeting the headquarters of its proxy Hezbollah represents a dangerous game-changing escalation that will “bring its perpetrator an appropriate punishment.”

“This reprehensible crime… represents a dangerous escalation that changes the rules of the game,” the Iranian embassy says.