BEIRUT (ChatnewsTV) — The Israeli Air Force launched a series of powerful airstrikes in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Friday evening, targeting what the Israeli military described as Hezbollah’s main command center. The strikes, which Israeli officials say were aimed at Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, have left the fate of the militant leader uncertain.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously to The Times of Israel, confirmed that Nasrallah was believed to have been present in the underground headquarters at the time of the attack.
“It’s very hard to imagine him coming out alive from a strike like that,” the official said, reflecting a growing belief in Israel that Nasrallah may have been killed.
The series of strikes shook Beirut, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and resulting in widespread destruction. Lebanese security sources told Reuters that multiple buildings in the Dahiyeh suburb, a known Hezbollah stronghold, were flattened.
According to Israeli television reports, the operation involved the use of bombs totaling tens of tons of explosives, making it the most significant Israeli attack on Beirut in nearly a year.
A source close to Hezbollah told Reuters that six buildings were destroyed in the bombardment. Footage from Beirut broadcast by local media showed extensive damage, with many reports indicating a high number of casualties.
The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, and Hezbollah has yet to release an official statement regarding the strikes or Nasrallah’s status.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, addressed the media shortly after the strikes, stating that the Hezbollah command center was deliberately built beneath civilian structures in the densely populated Dahiyeh area. “This operation was necessary due to the significant threat Hezbollah poses to Israeli security,” Hagari said, without confirming whether Nasrallah had been the primary target.
Hezbollah, a powerful militant group backed by Iran, has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Israel, with tensions reaching new heights in recent months. The potential death of Nasrallah, who has led the group since 1992, would mark a major turning point in the ongoing conflict.
As the dust settles over Beirut, the region awaits further developments, including possible retaliation from Hezbollah. The attack underscores the fragile state of affairs between Israel and its northern neighbor, with the risk of a broader escalation looming large.
By Gabriel Ani
