Huge explosions rocked Beirut and Israel confirmed it carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah’s military headquarters in the Lebanese capital. Information is still coming in, but the target is said to have been Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and this afternoon’s airstrikes were the largest to hit Beirut since the beginning of the current Middle East conflict almost a year ago.

A series of explosions were heard across the city in Beirut this afternoon, leaving many huge plumes of dark smoke. Smoke was visible even from the city of Batroun, about an hour’s drive north of the Lebanese capital.

Videos posted on social media showed the scene of the raid, with several buildings completely collapsing and fires burning beneath the rubble.

According to people associated with Hezbollah Al-Manar TVfour buildings were destroyed as a result of air raids, while the report from AFP mentions the destruction of six buildings. Although emergency services are already on the scene, there are no official reports on the number of casualties so far.

There are already multiple reports – including apparently from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) radio and Israeli media channels – that the target of the attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs was Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, although there is no news of his whereabouts at this time.

There are reports that Hezbollah says Nasrallah is safe, while other accounts suggest Iran – Hezbollah’s main supporter – is assessing whether he has been harmed.

Earlier, Israeli IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said the Israeli military carried out a “precision attack” on Hezbollah’s headquarters, which had been built “underneath residential buildings in Beirut to use them as human shields.”

According to the IDF, Hezbollah’s headquarters served as its central command center and was located in a civilian area in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut. Hagari described the headquarters “as the epicenter of Hezbollah’s terror.”

Based on a photo released by his office, the airstrikes appear to have been approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to New York, showing him and other Israeli officials in a hotel with secure communications equipment. His office said the Israeli leader would return home this evening. He was previously expected to return to Israel on Saturday.

Today, Netanyahu spoke before the UN General Assembly, telling world leaders that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah will continue.

Another photo, released by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, shows him observing the attack from an underground Israeli Air Force command center. In the photo next to Gallant are the Chief of the IDF General Staff, Herzi Halevi, and the Chief of the Israeli Air Force, Tomer Bar.

Early reports suggest the use of penetrating bombs or bunker-busting rockets in at least some raids, which would make sense given the buried target as well as the large plumes of dark smoke.

Update: 5:15 p.m. EST

“There are increasing indications that Nasrallah was killed as a result of the strike The times of Israel.

“Israel Channel 12 “The News reports that, according to Israeli assessment, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed during today’s IDF attack on the underground headquarters of this terrorist group in Beirut,” the publication reports. “The headline on the screen reads: ‘Israel Rating: Nasrallah Eliminated.'”

“Israel’s second major television station, Channel 13is a bit more cautious and states: “Cautious optimism in Israel: attack on Nasrallah succeeded.”

Reuters reports that communication with senior Hezbollah leaders was lost.

Meanwhile, citizens of the Dahiyeh district begin to leave after the IDF warned that another strike was imminent.

Updated: 5:30 p.m. EST –

While there is no official confirmation of Nasrallah’s death, some residents of northwestern Syria are celebrating. Many Syrians condemn Hezbollah’s actions during the long civil war there.

Update: 5:40 p.m. EST –

The IDF warning indicated specific locations that residents should avoid.

“Over the last hour, we have contacted the residents of three buildings in Dahieh – these residents are located above or near strategic Hezbollah assets and must evacuate immediately for their safety,” the IDF said on Telegram.

Update 17:46 EST –

After the warning, the IDF began striking these buildings, Israeli ones Channel 12 he said on Twitter.

Update: 17:52 EST –

The IDF stated that their target was weapons depots in Dahieh.

“The IDF is currently conducting targeted attacks on weapons belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that were stored under civilian buildings in the Dahieh area of ​​Beirut. Details coming soon,” the IDF said on Telegram.

A new video showing the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike in Beirut has appeared online.

Update: 17:58 EST –

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a statement regarding the Israeli strike.

“I know you are receiving reports of a significant strike in Beirut today.

I spoke by phone today with my counterpart in Israel, Minister Gallant.

The United States was not involved in Israel’s operation. We had no advance warning. My conversation with Minister Gallant took place at a time when the Israeli operation was already underway.

As you know, the surgery only took place a few hours ago and the assessment is still ongoing, so I don’t have any further information or details at this time. You have heard me say many times that total war should be avoided.

Diplomacy continues to be the best way forward and the fastest way to enable displaced citizens of Israel and Lebanon to return to their homes on both sides of the border.

I will be speaking to Minister Gallant again soon and hope to get an update from him when we have that conversation. Thank you.”

Update: 18:29 EST –

“President Biden was briefed several times today by his national security team on the latest developments in the Middle East,” according to the latest statement from the White House press team. “He directed the Pentagon to evaluate and adjust, as necessary, the deployment of U.S. forces in the region to enhance deterrence, provide force protection, and support the full range of U.S. objectives. He also directed his team to ensure that U.S. embassies in the region take all appropriate protective measures. The President will continue to receive regular updates.”

Updated: 6:59 p.m. EST –

A spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Israel and the United States must be “held accountable” for the attack on Nasrallah’s compound.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned “the Zionist regime’s brutal and terrorist air attack on several residential buildings in the suburbs of Beirut on Friday afternoon,” Iran’s official statement said. IRNA the news agency reported.

“This barbaric attack, which was carried out using bombs donated by the American regime to the rebellious Zionist regime, apart from being a gross violation of the laws and provisions of international law, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity and national security of Lebanon, is an obvious and inconceivable crime war,” Kanaani said. “And therefore, without a doubt, the American regime is also an accomplice of the Zionist regime and must be held accountable.”

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This is a developing story. We will update this as more news about this strike becomes available.