Israel targeted Hezbollah’s Nasrallah in large bombing in Beirut, officials say

Israel reportedly launched a substantial aerial assault on Hezbollah's central base in Beirut on Friday, with the goal of eliminating the group's leader, as stated by a U.S. official, two Israeli officials, and two individuals familiar with the situation. This action significantly intensifies the conflict in Lebanon and casts doubt on the Biden administration's ability to secure a ceasefire agreement to prevent a full-scale war.

It remains uncertain whether the attack successfully eliminated or injured Hassan Nasrallah, or if he was even present in the targeted building.

Should Nasrallah be killed, it would represent one of Israel's most significant strikes against Hezbollah in many years; Nasrallah has been at the helm of the Iran-supported militant organization since 1992, following Israel's assassination of its previous leader.

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"Regardless of whether Israel succeeded in eliminating Nasrallah today, this will undoubtedly be a notable escalation in the conflict that will push us beyond the threshold of an all-out war," remarked Firas Maksad from the Middle East Institute. "It is particularly concerning as Israeli ground forces appear to be preparing for an invasion of southern Lebanon."

The National Security Council did not provide an immediate response when asked for comment. In an official statement, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari mentioned that their forces "carried out a precise strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organization...taking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely."

This attack occurs as high-ranking Biden administration officials were struggling to convince Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a pause in hostilities, in an effort to prevent a full-scale ground war in southern Lebanon that could have devastating humanitarian consequences alongside the ongoing war in Gaza. The intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in recent days has resulted in nearly 700 fatalities and forced 90,000 people to abandon their homes in Lebanon.