Israeli media reported the strike on Beirut as an attempt to kill Hezbollah’s leader and key Iran ally, Hassan Nasrallah
Quote
Other media outlets quoted Hezbollah sources saying, Nasrallah was “alive and well” Hezbollah issued a statement saying there was “no truth to any statement” about the Israeli attack, without specifying what statements it was referring to
IDF spokesperson Hagari said it was still looking into the results of its strike but that it was “very accurate”
Hezbollah – Iran's linchpin
Even if Nasrallah was not harmed in the strike, targeting Nasrallah would mark a staggering escalation on the Israeli side
The Hezbollah leader represents Iran’s most important regional asset and has long been seen as linchpin in the so-called axis of resistance
The presence of Hezbollah’s large rocket arsenal on Israel’s northern border has long acted as a deterrent to an Israeli attack on Iran and its nuclear programme
Israel’s objective in Lebanon
Quote
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said, Israel’s objective in Lebanon is an “important and legitimate one”
Blinken, at a news conference on Friday, said the US and other countries who have joined calls for a 21-day ceasefire believe that diplomacy and a ceasefire is the best way forward
Hezbollah still standing -- still firing
Hezbollah responded by bombing Safed, a city in north Israel, with a rocket salvo “in response to Israeli attacks on cities, villages and civilians”
The Iran-backed militant group announced more attacks at Karmiel and Sa’ar but did not put out a statement regarding the fate of Nasrallah
Hezbollah's potential retaliation
Israel braced itself for potential retaliation from Hezbollah in Lebanon as well as from Yemen and Iran, urging residents of Golan Heights, Safed, Merom HaGalil, to stay near protected areas
As always, it is the innocent civilians, paying the price 1. Palestinian, now Lebanese between a rock and a hard place 2. Israeli hostages
