Israel says it struck Hezbollah’s headquarters as large explosions rocked Beirut

BEIRUT — The Israeli navy mentioned Friday it carried out an airstrike on the central headquarters of Hezbollah in Beirut, the place a large explosion leveled buildings in a southern district, sending clouds of orange and black smoke billowing within the skies.

The strike within the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh got here shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.N., vowing that Israel’s marketing campaign in opposition to Hezbollah would proceed. Not lengthy earlier than the explosion, 1000’s have been massed within the suburb for the funeral of three Hezbollah members, together with a senior commander, killed in earlier strikes.

There was no fast phrase on casualties within the strike. The Israeli military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, mentioned it focused the principle Hezbollah headquarters, positioned beneath residential buildings. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV mentioned 4 buildings have been diminished to rubble within the blast, so highly effective it rattled home windows and shook homes some 30 kilometers north of Beirut. Ambulances have been seen headed to the scene of the explosions, sirens wailing.

Earlier within the day, an Israeli airstrike killed a household of 9 in a Lebanese border village, authorities mentioned, as Lebanon struggled to take care of a rising loss of life toll, a wave of tens of 1000’s fleeing their properties and the potential for an all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel dramatically intensified its airstrikes in Lebanon this week, saying it’s decided to place an finish to greater than 11 months of Hezbollah fireplace into its territory. The scope of Israel’s operation stays unclear, however officers have mentioned a floor invasion to push the militant group away from the border is a risk. Israel has moved 1000’s of troops towards the border in preparation.

On the U.N., Netanyahu vowed to “continue degrading Hezbollah” till Israel achieves its objectives, additional dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire.

That has Lebanese fearing a repeat of the final Israel-Hezbollah conflict, in 2006, which lasted a month and triggered heavy destruction over elements of their nation. Or worse, they worry, Lebanon may undergo devastation on the dimensions triggered in Gaza by Israel’s practically yearlong marketing campaign in opposition to Hamas.

A minimum of 25 folks have been killed in Israeli strikes early Friday, Well being Minister Firass Abiad mentioned, bringing the loss of life toll in Lebanon this week to greater than 720. He mentioned the useless included dozens of ladies and youngsters.

The Israeli navy mentioned it carried out dozens of strikes over the course of two hours across the south on Friday, together with within the cities of Sidon and Nabatiyeh. It mentioned it was focusing on Hezbollah rocket launchers and infrastructure. It mentioned Hezbollah fired a volley of rockets towards the northern Israeli metropolis of Tiberias.