What we know
- The Israeli military says it struck Hezbollah's headquarters in southern Beirut after reports of a huge blast in the Lebanese capital. An Israeli official told NBC News that the target was the Iran-backed militant group's powerful leader, Hassan Nasrallah. NBC News has not confirmed if he has been killed.
- The attack killed at least six people and injured 91, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his trip to the U.S. to return to Israel after news of the Beirut strike emerged.
- Earlier, Netanyahu, who is facing international calls to agree to a cease-fire, staunchly defended his country's actions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon in an address to the United Nations General Assembly. He also lashed out at the international organization, calling it a “swamp of antisemitic bile.”
- Israel's new aerial offensive has killed 700 people in southern, central and eastern Lebanon since Monday, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
- Hezbollah has continued to fire into Israel, setting off sirens in and around the northern city of Haifa after about 10 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon. Some were intercepted and others were identified as having fallen in open areas.
- The World Health Organization said 27 health workers have been killed in the recent upsurge in violence, calling the deaths an “unacceptable trend.”
While the fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah, there are Israeli families living near the northern border who have been displaced since the October 7 attacks.
A look into Israel’s thinking
Israeli intelligence indicated that Iran and its proxies had a long-term a plan to encircle — and eliminate — Israel by 2040, but Yahya Sinwar and Hamas acted early by launching the Oct. 7 terror attacks, a senior Israeli official told NBC News.
Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah were always the lynchpin to the plan to wipe out Israel because they’re the best armed.
Israel decided that if it wanted to get its people back to their homes after a full year, it had to go after Nasrallah in Lebanon and it wanted to do so without a ground invasion if possible, the senior Israeli official said.
Today’s strike in in Beirut was aimed at Nasrallah, but Israel doesn’t know yet if he was killed, the official said.
So after recent strikes, does Israel feel it has eliminated enough of Hezbollah’s command and control that it can agree to a cease-fire?
“We are further along than we were, but they still have thousands of rockets,” the official said, adding that it would consider itself even closer if Nasrallah was killed in today’s strike. “But in war, when your guy is down, you keep moving.”
And if Nasrallah is eliminated, “it would break the axis of Iran’s proxies,” he said.
Blinken: There is a path to diplomacy
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he is hopeful that diplomacy can win out and will continue pushing for that, while adding that Israel has a right to defend itself.
“The way it does so matters,” Blinken said. “The choices that all parties make in coming days will determine which path this region is on with profound consequences for its people now and possibly for years to come.”
Blinken continued, saying diplomacy is the course the U.S. government prefers.
“The path to diplomacy may seem difficult to see at this moment, but it is there and it is necessary. We will continue to work intensely with all parties to urge to choose that course.”
Blinken said violence will only lead to more bloodshed and instability in the region, causing "ripples of which will be felt around the world.”
America, Blinken said, will not shy away from defending itself against attacks on its interests.
“Anyone using this moment to target American personnel, American interests in the region, the United States will take every measure to defend our people,” he said.
Hezbollah fired rockets at Safed in response for attack in Beirut
Hezbollah fired rockets at the city of Safed in retaliation for Israel’s attack in Beirut.
It said the retaliation strikes were "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, and in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli violation of cities, villages and civilians.”
Lebanon's prime minister leaves U.N. early to return home
After today's strikes in Beirut, Lebanese Prime Minister Naji Mikati departed early from New York City, where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly.
“In light of the developments in Lebanon after the Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Prime Minister decided to end the meetings he is holding in New York during the UN General Assembly and return to Beirut,” Mikati’s office said in a statement.
Mikati will meet with the Council of Ministers for an emergency meeting, the statement said.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also cut his trip to the United States short. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu addressed the UN’s General Assembly.
President Biden briefed on the latest developments
President Joe Biden's national security team has briefed him several times today on the developments in Beirut, according to the White House.
The president has directed the Pentagon to “assess and adjust as necessary U.S. force posture in the region to enhance deterrence, ensure force protection, and support the full range of U.S. objectives,” according to a statement.
Biden has also ordered his team to ensure U.S. embassies take all necessary protective measures.
Lebanese health officials say Beirut blast killed six, injured 91
Israel's attack on Hezbollah in Beirut killed at least six people and injured 91, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said based on a preliminary death toll.
Of the 91 who were injured in the southern suburbs of Beirut, 14 required hospitalization, the ministry said.
Israel plans to strike 3 buildings in Beirut it claims are hiding Hezbollah missiles
Israel has contacted residents of three buildings in Beirut, urging them to immediately evacuate because it plans to attack the buildings, which it says are housing anti-ship missiles underneath them, according to the Israeli Defense Forces.
Hezbollah has denied claims that weapons are being stored in residential buildings.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said during a late-night news conference that an attack is imminent on the buildings hiding Hezbollah weapons.
“These residents are above and near Hezbollah’s strategic assets and must evacuate immediately for their safety and security," he said.
The anti-ship missiles have been used to carry out attacks on the maritime global shipping route and on Israeli civilian and military vessels, Hagari said.
Hezbollah hides its weapons in homes and villages across southern Lebanon, Hagari said.
“Hezbollah has stored these strategic weapons beneath civilian populations. The way the missiles are stored in these buildings allows them to be moved and launched outside of the buildings within minutes,” he said.
“Hezbollah exploits and endangers Lebanese civilians, using them as a human shield for its weapons. We will not allow such a threat to be directed at Israeli civilians, global shipping routes and vital facilities, which any other sovereign state would never permit.”
Iran's president calls Israel attack in Beirut 'blatant war crime'
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called Israel’s attack on Hezbollah in Beirut an “undeniable and blatant war crime.”
Israel’s strike on Hezbollah amounted to “state terrorism” and a sign Israel is the “greatest threat to regional and international peace and security,” Pezeshkian said in a statement.
“I express my condolences to the nation and government of Lebanon and extend my sympathies to the families of the proud martyrs of this incident,” Pezeshkian said. “I share in the grief of you, the dear and honorable people of the Lebanese resistance.”
Iran will pursue the crime against Israel and stands alongside Lebanon, Pezeshkian said.
IDF expected to release a statement on Hezbollah attack in Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces are expected to release a statement later tonight regarding its attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The IDF said spokesperson Daniel Hagari is expected to address the media.
