Israel continued the pounding of Hezbollah strongholds in Southern Beirut, Lebanon, with heavy airstrikes that began late last night, part of the military operations. With the strike, a plume of thick smoke billowed into the sky, sending panic in the densely populated area. This is the most aggressive bombardment that Israel has taken against Beirut since it shifted its focus from Gaza earlier this week.
Airstrikes have been launched on suspected Hezbollah positions all over Lebanon, with hundreds reportedly killed. Israel’s media reported that the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was a major target. Still, a source in Hezbollah reported he is “fine,” although his whereabouts remain unknown to protect him from assassination attempts. Nasrallah is an important figure to his Shiite backers and is a crucial factor in the peace process.
There are also reports that Nasrallah’s daughter, Zainab, died in one of the attacks against the strongholds, but this hasn’t been confirmed. In response, Israeli military spokesmen in Tel Aviv boasted that the airstrikes also killed Muhammad Ali Ismail, commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit, along with other senior officials. According to residents, the airstrikes felt “like an earthquake.”.
In the aftermath of a second wave of bombings, Israel claimed it hit depots storing weapons for Hezbollah, which it denied. Reports said six buildings were destroyed, 91 people were injured, and at least six dead. The factions struck back as Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel, in turn prompting the Israeli military to warn civilians in areas controlled by the party to evacuate.
In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue military operations against the militant group Hezbollah until its northern border is secure. He threatened a forceful response if Iran strikes Israel. The UN has sounded alarm in recent days over the increasing violence amid growing humanitarian concerns both in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
