Israel carried out large-scale attacks on the suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday. It described the action as a “precise strike” on the headquarters of Hezbollah.
Multiple airstrikes pounded the area, causing huge pillars of smoke to erupt. Israeli media reports the primary target was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said: “Hezbollah must be stopped. Israel is doing what every sovereign state in the world would do if they had a terror organization that seeks their destruction on their border.”
Paramedics and rescue workers searched through the rubble for survivors. The Lebanese health ministry said at least two people were killed and 76 wounded. A UN relief official says more than 30,000 people have fled into neighboring Syria over the past 72 hours.
Israel has also hinted at a possible ground operation. The military said on Friday that it has deployed two reserve brigades to northern Israel, raising fears of a wider conflict.