Israel has launched a series of intense airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, marking the most severe bombardment of the Lebanese capital since shifting its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon earlier this week. The strikes, which began overnight, have engulfed the city in thick smoke, causing widespread fear among civilians. Hundreds of people are reported dead in the aftermath.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted key Hezbollah locations, including missile storage facilities. According to Israeli media, the strikes aimed to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, though Hezbollah later confirmed he is unharmed. Nasrallah, who has remained in hiding for years, is a pivotal figure in the conflict, holding significant influence among Shiite supporters in Lebanon.
The IDF confirmed the deaths of senior Hezbollah officials, including Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of the group’s missile unit, and his deputy. Israel claimed its forces also hit weapons depots in southern Beirut, though Hezbollah has denied this.
Ahmad Ahmad, a resident of southern Beirut, described the airstrikes as resembling an “earthquake,” while six buildings were reportedly destroyed, leaving 91 injured and six dead.
In response, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel, prompting immediate evacuation warnings from the Israeli military for residents in Hezbollah-controlled areas.As the conflict intensifies, the region faces escalating violence, raising concerns of a broader war.