Israel-Lebanon live: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly targeted in Beirut after Netanyahu warning
The Israeli military said it had carried out a “precise strike” on Hezbollah’s headquarters
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Israeli military strikes in Beirut on Friday reportedly targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, following a warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel would not tolerate threats from Hezbollah and Hamas.
The airstrikes shook the Lebanese capital, killing at least two, wounding 76 and destroying six buildings in the southern suburbs, where Hezbollah’s central headquarters are said to be located.
The death toll was expected to rise as the removal of the rubble continues.
Israeli sources told multiple outlets that Nasrallah was the intended target of the attack. A source close to Hezbollah told Reuters that Nasrallah is alive, while Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported he was safe.
The Independent asked whether Nasrallah was present at the headquarters and the Israeli military declined to confirm or deny.
The strikes hit Beirut shortly after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel’s attacks on Iranian-backed fighters in Lebanon in a closely watched United Nations speech, as hopes faded for a ceasefire that could head off an all-out regional war.
He told the assembly: “There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and that’s true of the entire Middle East.”
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Australia urges its citizens to leave Lebanon as Beirut airport may close soon
Australia has urged its 15,000 citizens in Lebanon to leave due to the escalating conflict, warning that Beirut airport may close soon.
With Israel intensifying airstrikes and the possibility of a ground assault, Australia is preparing contingency plans, potentially including evacuations by sea, according to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.
He refused to give more details on the evacuation plan.
“We’re looking at every option, but there’s obviously national security issues,” he told Sky News in an interview.
“Given the large numbers we are talking about, this situation will be difficult to resolve,” Mr Albanese said on ABC Television.
“We’ve been meeting on this through appropriate bodies over a period of time, including engaging with our friends and allies,” he added.
Foreign minister Penny Wong also said there is a risk Beirut airport may close for an extended period, and urged Australians who live in Lebanon — around 15,000 — to leave now.
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Israel claims to have hit 220 Hezbollah sites
Israel’s air force has struck about 220 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon the past day, the military says.
Among the targets struck were infrastructure sites, launchers from which projectiles were fired toward Israeli territory, Hezbollah operatives and weapons storage facilities in Lebanon, it said.
“The IDF is continuing to operate to degrade and dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities and infrastructure,” the Israeli Defence Forces said.
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