Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will cut short his visit to New York and return to Israel tonight after a significant escalation in hostilities, marked by a massive airstrike south of Beirut targeting Hezbollah’s leadership. Netanyahu, who had just finished addressing the United Nations General Assembly, was set to depart on Saturday evening but will now fly back ahead of the Jewish Sabbath, signaling the gravity of the situation.
Shortly after Netanyahu’s speech at the UN, a powerful explosion was heard in Dahiya, a southern suburb of Beirut dominated by Hezbollah. According to Israeli officials cited in multiple reports, the airstrike was aimed at Hezbollah’s central headquarters, in what is considered the largest Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since the 2006 war. The primary target was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, though there is no confirmation yet on his status or whether he was present at the time of the strike.
“Hezbollah’s central headquarters, intentionally located under residential buildings, was hit in a precise strike,” said IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. He accused Hezbollah of using civilian structures as “human shields.” Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar Television reported that four buildings in southern Beirut were struck during the attack. The airstrike also hit nearby residential areas, but as of yet, there has been no official word on the extent of civilian casualties.
Uncertainty Surrounding Hezbollah Leadership
Israeli officials have indicated that several senior Hezbollah figures were present at the headquarters during the strike. However, Hezbollah has not yet issued an official response, and Nasrallah’s status remains unclear. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not confirmed whether Nasrallah was injured or killed in the attack.
Netanyahu’s office released a brief statement on his return to Israel, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The prime minister had earlier left a press briefing at the UN abruptly after receiving updates from his military advisers about the operation in Beirut.
U.S. Denies Prior Knowledge
An Israeli official claimed that the U.S. was notified minutes before the strike, but senior U.S. officials have denied having any prior knowledge. “We had no knowledge of it or involvement in it,” a senior U.S. official told Axios, rejecting claims that Washington was forewarned about the attack.
Rising Tensions in the Region
This airstrike marks a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The situation has been volatile since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, with Hezbollah launching multiple attacks from Lebanon in solidarity with Hamas. Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have increased in response, but this is by far the most significant action to date.
As tensions continue to escalate, Netanyahu’s unexpected early return and Israel’s actions indicate that the conflict could spread beyond Gaza, drawing in more actors from across the region. For now, the world watches closely to see how Hezbollah and other parties respond to the latest developments.
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