Israel Launches Air Strikes on Hezbollah Strongholds in Beirut

Israel has intensified its military campaign against Hezbollah, launching a series of significant air strikes in Beirut’s Dahieh district, which is a known stronghold for the armed group. The strikes resulted in at least two fatalities and 76 injuries, according to Lebanese officials, as several buildings were struck in this densely populated area.

Witnesses reported chaotic scenes following the explosions, with residents fleeing the area amidst heavy smoke and debris. The Israeli military stated that its operations targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters, located “under residential buildings.” Reports from Israeli and U.S. media suggest that the strikes aimed at Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, although it remains unclear if he was present or injured in the attack.

In reaction to the strikes, Iranian officials condemned Israel’s actions, with Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, stating that assassinations would not solve Israel’s problems, asserting that new leaders would arise to replace those killed. Iran’s embassy in Beirut labeled the attack as a “dangerous game changer.”

This escalation follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN, where he declared a commitment to defeating Hezbollah. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticized the air strikes, claiming they demonstrated Israel’s disregard for U.S.-led efforts to establish a ceasefire.

Since the beginning of the conflict, nearly 800 people have died in air strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, many of whom are civilians. The Pentagon reported that the U.S. was not informed in advance about the strikes, highlighting a disconnect between the two allies.

Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into northern Israel, with air raid alerts sounding in multiple areas. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that one of the Hezbollah rockets directly struck a residential property in Safed.

The international community is calling for a ceasefire. The U.S., U.K., and EU have proposed a temporary 21-day pause in fighting to facilitate diplomatic negotiations for a broader settlement in the region, which would also include a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel’s military operations have claimed over 41,000 lives since October 7.

As tensions escalate, around 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the ongoing violence, adding to the 110,000 already displaced, according to the UN.