Beirut, Sept 28: In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs early Saturday morning. Reports indicate more than 20 strikes before dawn, prompting mass evacuations as thousands fled their homes in search of safety.
Displaced residents gathered in public areas across downtown Beirut, including Martyrs Square, trying to find shelter. “They want to destroy Dahiye; they want to destroy all of us,” said Sari, a man in his 30s who evacuated under an Israeli order.
The strikes followed a significant attack on Friday that reportedly targeted Hezbollah’s command center, allegedly aimed at leader Hassan Nasrallah. While Nasrallah’s status remains unclear, sources close to Hezbollah noted he was unreachable, and Iranian media suggested he was safe.
An Israeli official confirmed that key Hezbollah leaders were targeted but did not specify whether Nasrallah was among them. The Israeli military announced the deaths of Muhammad Ali Ismail, a commander in Hezbollah’s missile unit, and his deputy, Hossein Ahmed Ismail.
