Israel conducted a significant airstrike on Friday, targeting Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut in what appears to be an attempt to assassinate the group’s leadership.
The strike, which is the largest Israeli attack on Beirut since the 2006 Lebanon war, aimed to eliminate Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to Israeli sources. The airstrike also impacted nearby residential buildings, though there is no confirmed information on civilian casualties at this time.
Israeli officials stated that senior Hezbollah figures were present at the headquarters during the attack, but there has been no official response from Hezbollah regarding the incident or Nasrallah’s current status. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to confirm whether Nasrallah was hit.
Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar Television reported that four buildings in southern Beirut were struck by the airstrike. IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari described the operation as a “precise strike” on Hezbollah’s headquarters, which he said was intentionally constructed beneath residential buildings in Beirut to use them as human shields.
The attack prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abruptly leave a press briefing at the United Nations after receiving an update from his military adviser. An Israeli official later revealed that Israel had notified the United States shortly before the strike took place, but two senior U.S. officials denied receiving any prior warning, with one stating, “We had no knowledge of it or involvement in it.”
Tensions between Israel and the U.S. flared when Netanyahu initially denied Israel's involvement in the ceasefire proposal, despite having been part of the discussions leading up to the announcement. However, Netanyahu later backtracked, stating that “Israel shares the aims” of the U.S.-backed plan. Despite this, Friday’s airstrike marks a clear escalation by Israel, signaling that Netanyahu’s government may have little interest in pursuing a ceasefire at this stage.
