Breaking: Dahieh Strike Leaves 2 Dead, 76 Injured; Source Says Nasrallah is “Fine”

The Health Ministry reported that two people were killed and 76 others injured in a major Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s densely populated southern suburbs on Friday. The ministry’s statement indicated that 15 of the injured required hospitalization, but emphasized that the figures were preliminary.

The strikes hit the Haret Hreik neighborhood, a known Hezbollah stronghold, and Israeli media suggested that the group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was the intended target. However, a source close to Hezbollah, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Nasrallah was unharmed, saying, “Sayyed Nasrallah is fine.”

Israeli media outlets, including three major television channels, reported that Nasrallah was indeed the target of the attack. The timing and magnitude of the blasts hinted that a high-ranking Hezbollah leader may have been present in the targeted buildings.

In a potentially significant move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his trip to the United States and returned to Israel earlier than planned, foregoing his stay until the end of the Sabbath on Saturday. Netanyahu had addressed the U.N. earlier, pledging that Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah would continue, dashing hopes for an internationally mediated cease-fire.

Netanyahu was reportedly briefed on the strikes as they occurred while speaking with journalists. A military aide interrupted the briefing, prompting him to quickly conclude the discussion.

Unlike previous conflicts, Israel has aggressively targeted Hezbollah’s top leadership in recent days. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s office revealed that he was in meetings with the Israeli air force chief and other senior commanders for updates on the situation.

According to Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the strikes specifically targeted Hezbollah’s main headquarters, which were located beneath residential buildings. Lebanon’s national news agency reported that six buildings in the Haret Hreik area were reduced to rubble. The force of the explosion could be felt as far as 30 kilometers (18 miles) away, shaking homes and shattering windows. Ambulances rushed to the scene, responding to the devastation with sirens blaring.