BEIRUT/JERUSALEM:

Israel launched a series of airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut early Saturday, escalating its offensive against Hezbollah. The strikes targeted the Iran-backed group’s command center, reportedly aiming at its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Witnesses reported hearing more than 20 airstrikes before dawn. Thousands of residents fled their homes in southern Beirut, seeking refuge in central parts of the city, including downtown Beirut and coastal areas. One resident, Sari, who had evacuated following Israeli warnings, said, “They want to destroy Dahiye, they want to destroy all of us.” Many displaced people were seen sleeping on mats in Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square.

The bombardment, which lasted for five hours, followed a major Israeli assault on Friday targeting Hezbollah. This marked Israel’s most intense strike on Beirut since the conflict with Hezbollah began nearly a year ago. The escalation has raised concerns that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war, possibly involving Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter, as well as the United States.

There has been no immediate confirmation of Nasrallah’s status following the strikes. A source close to Hezbollah told Reuters that Nasrallah could not be reached, and the group has yet to issue a statement. While Israel has not confirmed if Nasrallah was specifically targeted, a senior Israeli official stated that the strikes were aimed at top Hezbollah leaders, adding, “It’s too early to say… Sometimes they hide the fact when we succeed.”

Hezbollah sources confirmed that Nasrallah was alive, and Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that he was safe. Meanwhile, Israel announced the killing of Hezbollah’s missile unit commander, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hossein Ahmed Ismail, during the strikes.

Shortly before the latest airstrikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations, asserting Israel’s right to continue its military operations. He stated, “As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat.” Several delegations walked out during Netanyahu’s speech, and he cut his New York trip short to return to Israel.

Lebanese health officials reported that Friday’s airstrikes killed six people and injured 91 others. This marked the fourth strike on Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut in a week and the deadliest since the 2006 war. Authorities expect the death toll to rise, but no casualty figures have been confirmed from Saturday’s attacks. Over 700 people have reportedly been killed in the past week of strikes.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television reported that seven buildings were destroyed in the recent strikes. Security sources indicated that the target was a location frequently visited by senior Hezbollah officials. In response, Israel ordered residents in parts of southern Beirut to evacuate, citing the presence of missile launchers and weapons storage sites hidden under civilian homes. Hezbollah denied the claims, stating that no weapons were stored in the targeted buildings.

Alaa al-Din Saeed, a resident of one of the neighborhoods hit by Israeli airstrikes, said he was fleeing with his family. “We found out on the television,” he told Reuters. “There was a huge commotion in the neighborhood.” The family gathered essentials and joined many others attempting to flee the city, facing heavy traffic as they headed for the mountains.

The ongoing conflict has displaced approximately 100,000 people in Lebanon this week alone, bringing the total number of displaced individuals to over 200,000. Simultaneously, the Israeli government stated that returning some 70,000 Israeli evacuees to their homes remains a key objective.

Hezbollah has retaliated by launching hundreds of rockets and missiles at Israeli targets, including Tel Aviv. The group claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on Safed, a northern Israeli city, where one woman was slightly injured. Israel’s air defense systems have helped mitigate the damage.

Iran has condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of using US-made “bunker-busting” bombs. Iranian officials warned that Friday’s attack crossed “red lines.” Meanwhile, US officials, including President Joe Biden, have been briefed on the situation, with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirming that Washington was not informed of the strikes in advance.

At the United Nations, where the General Assembly convened this week, concerns over the escalating violence were voiced. France, supported by the US, proposed a 21-day ceasefire. French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere called for an immediate halt to hostilities during a Security Council meeting, stating, “This must be brought to an end immediately.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking at a press conference in New York, emphasized, “We believe the way forward is through diplomacy, not conflict… We will continue to work with all parties to urge them to choose that path.”