Israel targets Hezbollah headquarters, 6 killed, 91 injured in attack.
The latest strikes occurred just hours after an initial Israeli attack on what Israel claimed to be Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut on Friday. According to reports, Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes targeting the building, which is believed to serve as a strategic base for Hezbollah operations. The earlier strike led to heightened tensions in the region, with both sides exchanging warnings of further retaliation. This escalation has raised concerns over a broader conflict, with fears of increased casualties and destruction in the coming days. The international community has called for restraint amid the growing violence.
Escalating Israeli Strikes in Lebanon: Rising Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns
Beirut: Increased Casualties Reported
The Lebanese Health Ministry has confirmed a sharp rise in casualties following recent Israeli airstrikes on the Haret Hreik neighborhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The death toll has reached six, with 91 individuals reported injured. Rescue operations to clear rubble from the affected areas are still underway, as local authorities and medical teams continue their efforts to aid survivors.
On Friday, Israeli jets carried out a series of heavy airstrikes, claiming to have targeted Hezbollah’s main headquarters. According to reports, Israeli warplanes launched approximately ten strikes on this Hezbollah stronghold, causing significant destruction and a large plume of smoke to cover the area. These strikes came just hours after an initial Israeli assault, further raising concerns over a potential wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Targeting Hezbollah Headquarters
The Israeli military has maintained that its strikes were aimed at Hezbollah’s central command, allegedly located beneath civilian buildings. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that Friday’s attacks were specifically directed at the headquarters, which they claimed was being used to coordinate Hezbollah’s military activities. The airstrikes are part of Israel’s broader efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s operational capacity in the region.
However, Hezbollah has denied these allegations, asserting that their military operations and weapons are not stationed in the civilian structures targeted by Israeli forces. The destruction caused by these strikes has contributed to rising tension in Beirut, with fears that the conflict could spread further across Lebanon and potentially draw in more regional actors.
Further Strikes in Central Lebanon
In addition to the airstrikes in Beirut, the Lebanese Health Ministry also reported a separate attack in Baadaran, a town in central Lebanon. This strike resulted in the deaths of four individuals, with 17 others injured. Initial reports indicated that two people had died and 76 were wounded, but Prime Minister Najib Mikati later suggested that the death toll could be higher. The situation remains fluid, as additional casualties may be discovered in the coming days.
The mounting civilian death toll and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure have drawn criticism from international organizations and humanitarian groups. The Lebanese government has called on the United Nations to intervene and put pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign, citing violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the targeting of densely populated areas.
Israeli Military Claims Success Against Hezbollah Commanders
In the early hours of Saturday, September 28, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had successfully eliminated several high-ranking Hezbollah commanders during intensified airstrikes. Among those reportedly killed were Muhammad Ali Ismail, commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit in southern Lebanon, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail. The IDF claimed that these commanders were responsible for directing missile attacks against Israel and had been instrumental in Hezbollah’s recent cross-border assaults.
Despite these claims, Hezbollah has not yet responded to the Israeli reports, leaving uncertainty over the full extent of the impact on its leadership. The lack of communication from Hezbollah has only fueled speculation about the group’s next moves in response to the targeted killings of its senior commanders.
Ongoing Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The recent strikes form part of a broader escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified since Israel launched its war on Gaza. The Lebanese Health Ministry has reported that over 700 people have been killed and nearly 2,200 wounded due to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since Monday. The cumulative death toll in Lebanon since last October now stands at 1,540, with over 77,000 people displaced from southern and eastern regions of the country.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate, with many regions suffering from shortages of basic supplies, including food, water, and medical aid. Displacement camps are overflowing, and the influx of refugees from affected areas has placed immense pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
International organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, have expressed growing concerns over the potential for a full-scale humanitarian crisis. The combination of ongoing violence, widespread destruction, and the mass displacement of civilians has created a dire situation for Lebanon’s population. Relief efforts are being hampered by continued airstrikes and the destruction of key transport routes, making it difficult for aid to reach those in need.
Fears of Regional Conflict
The latest airstrikes and rising death toll come amid growing fears of a broader regional conflict involving multiple actors. Both Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged threats of further retaliation, heightening the risk of a wider war in the region. International efforts to mediate between the two sides have so far been unsuccessful, with both Israel and Hezbollah showing little sign of backing down.
As cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah continues, the international community is increasingly calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and to address the growing humanitarian crisis. However, with no end to the violence in sight, Lebanon faces the prospect of prolonged conflict and further devastation in the days ahead.