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Israeli Airstrikes Hit Beirut, Targeting Hezbollah Command Center

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A series of Israeli airstrikes rocked the southern suburbs of Beirut early Saturday, as Israel intensified its attacks on Hezbollah. The air raids reportedly targeted the Iran-backed group’s command center, with some reports indicating an attempt to strike its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Witnesses described hearing more than 20 airstrikes before dawn. Thousands of residents from the southern suburbs, following Israeli evacuation orders, fled to central Beirut and nearby seaside areas, seeking refuge in public spaces. “They want to destroy Dahiye, they want to destroy all of us,” said Sari, a local resident who had fled his home.

These strikes mark the most powerful attack on Beirut by Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has seen daily missile and rocket fire. The escalation has heightened fears of the conflict spiraling into a broader regional war, potentially drawing in Iran and the United States.

While there has been no official confirmation regarding the fate of Nasrallah, a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters that he was unreachable after the strikes. Israel has not confirmed whether it specifically targeted Nasrallah, though a senior Israeli official mentioned that top Hezbollah commanders were the intended targets.

The Israeli military confirmed it had killed the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit, Muhammad Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hossein Ahmed Ismail, during the strikes.

Hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations, stating that Israel had every right to continue its military campaign against Hezbollah as long as the group chose war. “Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat,” he declared. Several U.N. delegations walked out during his speech, and Netanyahu later cut short his trip to return to Israel.

Lebanese health officials reported at least six people killed and 91 wounded in the initial attacks on Friday, marking the fourth major strike on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut in just one week. Authorities fear that the death toll could rise further as the conflict escalates, with reports indicating that over 700 people have been killed across Lebanon in the past week.

Following the strikes, the Israeli military issued further warnings, advising residents in parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs to evacuate, claiming it was targeting missile launchers and weapons storage sites located in civilian areas. Hezbollah, however, denied the presence of any weapons in the buildings hit by Israeli airstrikes.

The conflict has displaced around 100,000 people in Lebanon this week alone, with over 200,000 uprooted since the fighting began. Hezbollah has retaliated with hundreds of rockets aimed at Israeli targets, including the northern city of Safed, where a civilian sustained minor injuries.

Fears continue to mount that the conflict could draw in Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer, especially after Tehran condemned Friday’s strike and accused Israel of using U.S.-made “bunker-busting” bombs. In response, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that Washington was not informed of the strike beforehand. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for diplomacy, warning that continued escalation could lead to disastrous consequences.

Iran’s Response to Haniyeh Assassination Hinges on Gaza Ceasefire Talks

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Iranian officials have indicated that a ceasefire deal in Gaza, expected from upcoming talks, is the only factor delaying Iran’s direct retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has vowed severe retribution for Haniyeh’s killing, which it attributes to Israel, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The U.S. has increased its military presence in the Middle East in anticipation of potential escalations.

A senior Iranian security official revealed that Iran, along with its allies like Hezbollah, is prepared to launch a direct attack if the Gaza ceasefire talks fail or if Israel appears to be stalling negotiations. However, the timeframe for Iran’s response remains unclear. The heightened risk of a broader conflict following the deaths of Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr has prompted Iran to engage in intensive discussions with Western nations, including the U.S., to calibrate its potential retaliation.

The U.S. has been urging its allies to help de-escalate tensions, with Washington seeking to prevent Iran from escalating the situation further. Regional discussions have also taken place with Tehran to avoid further conflict, especially as the Gaza ceasefire talks approach, expected to be held in Egypt or Qatar.

Despite international calls for restraint, Iran remains steadfast in its stance against Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised harsh punishment for Israel, reinforcing the Revolutionary Guards’ role in determining the country’s regional policies, which answer directly to him. Although Iran’s relatively moderate new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has reaffirmed Iran’s anti-Israel position, the government appears keen to avoid a full-scale war, aiming instead to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that could offer Iran strategic advantages and strengthen its regional influence.

While Iran has not been directly involved in Gaza peace processes before, it is now considering sending a representative to the upcoming ceasefire talks, signaling its willingness to play a more active role. This representative would engage in behind-the-scenes diplomacy rather than directly attending the meetings, maintaining communication with the U.S. and other involved parties.

Iran’s approach is influenced by its desire to balance retaliation with strategic gains, possibly opting for a symbolic response if a ceasefire is reached. However, if talks fail, Iran and its allies are likely to execute a more significant retaliation, potentially involving a coordinated effort by the “Axis of Resistance,” including Hezbollah and other regional militias aligned against Israel.