Israel Says Target of Beirut Strike Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah

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Facts

  • Israel struck Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday, claiming that it had targeted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the group's primary military headquarters. The strike collapsed at least four residential buildings. It was Israel's largest strike in Beirut since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began.[1]
  • The strike came immediately after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, vowing that Israel would continue striking Lebanon and 'degrading' Hezbollah until it had achieved its war goals.[2]
  • Nasrallah's condition is still unclear. Lebanon's health ministry said that at least two people were killed and 76 wounded in the strike. The death toll is expected to increase as more bodies and remains are found. Israel's bombing campaign in Lebanon — which began on Monday — has killed over 700 people.[3][4]
  • Though Israeli media reports indicated that the US was informed of the strike before it occurred, the US said it did not have advance warning. US Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant as the strike was carried out.[5]
  • Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, responding to the strike, urged the international community to 'stop' Israel from waging a 'genocidal war' against Lebanon.[6]
  • Iran's embassy in Lebanon condemned the strike, saying it represents a 'dangerous game-changing escalation' that will 'bring its perpetrator an appropriate punishment.' The Israeli military's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said Israel is 'highly prepared to both attack and defend.'[7]

Sources: [1]Guardian, [2]Associated Press (a), [3]New York Times, [4]Associated Press (b), [5]Timesofisrael, [6]Naharnet and [7]Al Jazeera.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by New York Times. Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to Hezbollah's daily terror attacks along its northern border. However, it's in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israel has been incredibly patient regarding the situation in the north, but after a year of daily terror attacks, Israel has been forced to deal with Hezbollah more aggressively. Friday's strike on Nasrallah demonstrates that Israel has established new 'rules of engagement.' Israel wants peace, but it can't allow Hezbollah and other Iran-backed terror groups to threaten its society.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Though Nasrallah's status is still unclear, Israel's attack on Beirut is surely a grievous war crime, as it flattened multiple residential buildings full of people. Israel has escalated the situation in the region every chance it has gotten, with the US supporting it every step of the way. Indeed, Israel may expand its genocidal campaign that began in Gaza to Lebanon.
  • Narrative D, as provided by Almayadeen. The attacks against Lebanon are a clear example of Israeli terrorism in the region and its disregard for human life. Hezbollah opened a support front with Israel to stand in solidarity with Gaza which has faced a genocidal Israeli campaign. Its attacks will end when Israel withdraws from Gaza. Nonetheless, Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression.

Predictions