THIS is the moment Israel launches an enormous strike on Beirut as they try to kill Hezbollah’s leader.
Footage shows a series of huge explosions bombing the terror group’s HQ with large mushroom clouds erupting into the sky.
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Hezbollah’s base, hidden in a civilian area of the Lebanese capital, has been reduced to rubble and dozens are reported dead.
Israel quickly announced it was targeting Hezbollah’s commander in the airstrikes.
Reports claim Hassan Nasrallah remains alive, but no official statement has been released by Hezbollah.
IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the HQ was “intentionally built under residential buildings… as part of Hezbollah’s strategy of using Lebanese people as human shields”.
Hagari said: “Moments ago, the Israel Defense Forces carried out a precise strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organization…taking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely.”
Search and rescue workers are now looking for survivors in the rubble with other buildings also damaged.
The strike comes after days of Israeli bombardment inside Lebanon as it seems poised to invade the country.
Israel has wiped out a number of top Hezbollah commanders in airstrikes, but Nasrallah remained outside of Israel’s grasp.
Over the past 11 months, Israel has eliminated nearly all of the terror group’s leadership, with Nasrallah reportedly hidden in a 50ft deep bunker.
Just yesterday the terror group’s air force chief was killed in a blast.
Last Friday, Hezbollah was in chaos after losing two kingpins and 14 commanders in an IDF strike.
Destruction of Hezbollah’s HQ comes a day after a ceasefire plan appeared to fall through.
Western nations called for a 21-day ceasefire to end the 11-month conflict between Israel and the terror group to its north.
A statement said: “The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.
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“This is in nobody’s interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon.
“It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety.
“Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict.”
The ceasefire plan also called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now returning to the country after speaking to the UN General Assembly today.
The leader held up a map of Iran and its proxies in the Middle East with the title ‘The Curse’.
Israel has pummelled areas of southern Lebanon used by Hezbollah with airstrikes over the last few days – including civilian homes.
Thousands of Brits remain in the country and the military is on standby to evacuate them if Israel does invade.
Israel has shifted its military focus north after fighting in Gaza as it seeks to create a “death zone” in southern Lebanon.
Around 80,000 Israelis have fled northern Israel after regularly being bombarded by Hezbollah’s rockets following the October 7 terror attack.
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