Two dead, 76 wounded in Dahieh strike, source says Nasrallah 'fine'

The health ministry said two people were killed and 76 wounded in a huge Israeli air strike in Beirut's densely populated southern suburbs Friday, adding it was a preliminary toll.

"The successive Israeli enemy strikes on Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs, in a preliminary toll, killed two people and wounded 76, including... 15 that required hospitalization," a ministry statement said.

A source close to Hezbollah said that Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was "fine" after the massive strike that Israeli media said targeted the group's leader.

"Sayyed Nasrallah is fine," the source said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Leading Israeli television networks reported that Nasrallah was the target of the strike.

Three major Israeli TV channels said Nasrallah was the target of the strikes. Given the size and timing of the blasts, there were strong indications that a senior leader may have been inside the buildings struck.

In a possible further sign of the strikes' significance, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cut short a visit to the United States and was returning home instead of waiting until the end of Sabbath on Saturday evening, his office said. Hours earlier, Netanyahu addressed the U.N., vowing that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah would continue — further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire.

News of the blasts came as Netanyahu was briefing reporters traveling with him. A military aide whispered into his ear, and Netanyahu quickly ended the briefing.

To a degree unseen in past conflicts, Israel this past week has aimed to eliminate Hezbollah’s senior leadership. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s office said he was huddled with the head of Israel’s air force and other top commanders at military headquarters, following updates.

Israeli army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the strikes targeted the main Hezbollah headquarters, "located beneath residential buildings". Six buildings in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Dahieh were reduced to rubble, according to Lebanon's national news agency. The blast rattled windows and shook houses some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Beirut. Ambulances were seen headed to the scene, sirens wailing.