Israel flattens Hezbollah headquarters in heart of Beirut in quest of Nasrallah

The Israeli military carried out multiple airstrikes on Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut, targeting leader Hassan Nasrallah, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In Short

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cuts short US trip after strikes
• Strike shakes houses some 30 kilometres north of Beirut
• Israel Army says working to confirm whether Hezbollah chief was hit 

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday carried out yet another round of deadly airstrikes on the main headquarters of Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital Beirut, with sources claiming that the chief of the Iran-backed terror group, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was present inside the building at the time of the attack.

According to Reuters, which cited an Axios report, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of the strike, and the IDF were working to confirm whether he was hit.

The Israeli military announced that it conducted a "precise strike" on Hezbollah's central headquarters, destroying at least six buildings, marking a major escalation in its conflict with the Iran-backed group. At least six people were killed and over 90 were wounded, Lebanon's health ministry said.

A Hezbollah source claimed that Nasrallah is alive, with Iran's Tasnim news agency also reporting his safety. However, a senior Iranian security official told Reuters that Tehran was verifying his status.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar television reported that four buildings were destroyed, with multiple casualties resulting from the strikes. The buildings were reduced to rubble in the blast, that was so powerful that it reduced buildings to rubble, rattling windows and shaking houses up to 30 kilometres north of Beirut, according to the AP news agency.

“Moments ago, the Israel Defence Forces carried out a precise strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organisationâ€ætaking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely.," IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

A Hezbollah official told Reuters that the group's senior leader, Hashem Safieddine, a relative of Hassan Nasrallah, is alive following the attack.

Amid the latest developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cut short his trip to New York and will return to Israel shortly, according to a statement by his office.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly just hours ago the attack, Netanyahu said: "As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their homes safely".

"Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for nearly a year. Well, I've come here today to say enough is enough," he asserted.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated sharply after thousands of pages and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah exploded days ago. Accusing Tel Aviv of being behind the incident, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Israel, triggering a major conflict as Israel responded with airstrikes. In just one week, over 700 people have been killed, and more than 30,000 displaced.