Israel strikes Hezbollah headquarters/ The leader of the militant group is targeted

2024-09-28 08:27:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israel strikes Hezbollah headquarters/ The leader of the militant group is

The Israeli military hit Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday with a number of major strikes targeting the militant group's leader, destroying many high-rise apartment buildings. These large explosions in the Lebanese capital, punctuated by Israeli attacks, appear likely to push the conflict closer to a full-scale war. At least six people were killed and dozens wounded, Lebanon's health ministry said. The number of victims is expected to increase.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of the attacks on the group's headquarters, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, including a US official. The Israeli military declined to comment. It was not immediately clear whether Hassan Nasrallah was inside the building, and Hezbollah has yet to comment on the matter.

After the attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cut short a visit to the United States to return to Israel. Hours before the attack, he addressed the UN, vowing that Israel's intensified campaign against Hezbollah would continue, further dimming hopes of a ceasefire backed by the international community.

News of the blasts came as Prime Minister Netanyahu was giving a press conference after his address to the UN General Assembly. A military aide whispered in his ear and Mr. Netanyahu quickly ended the press conference.

Israeli military spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari said the strikes targeted Hezbollah's main headquarters, saying it was located underground beneath residential buildings.

According to Lebanon's national news agency, the series of explosions around evening destroyed six high-rise apartment buildings in Haret Hreik, a densely populated, mainly Shia neighborhood on the outskirts of Beirut.

On a scale unseen in past conflicts, Israel last week began efforts to kill Hezbollah's senior leadership. But an attempt to kill Hassan Nasrallah, successful or not, would be a major escalation. The Pentagon said the United States had received no advance warning of the attacks.

Hassan Nasrallah has been in hiding for years, rarely appearing in public. He regularly gives speeches, but always with videos from unknown countries. The area hit Friday night was not publicly known as Hezbollah's main headquarters, although it is located in the group's "security quarters," a well-protected part of the Haret Hreik neighborhood, where the militant group has offices and runs several hospitals. near./ VOA