**Israel Conducts Devastating Air Raids on Hezbollah Headquarters in Beirut**

In a significant escalation of ongoing hostilities, Israel has launched a series of air raids targeting the headquarters of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in Beirut. The devastating explosions, which occurred around dusk on Friday, sent towering clouds of smoke over the densely populated Haret Hreik neighborhood in southern Beirut's Dahiyeh district.

According to the Israeli military, the attack was aimed at Hezbollah's "central headquarters," which they claimed were strategically located under residential buildings in the heart of Dahiyeh. The bombings resulted in the destruction of several buildings, flattening a block close to Beirut's international airport. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV confirmed that multiple structures in the Haret Hreik neighborhood were reduced to rubble.

The fallout from the airstrikes was widespread, with the force of the blast rattling windows and shaking houses as far as 30 kilometers north of Beirut. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least two fatalities and 76 injuries, although the numbers were described as a preliminary toll. Emergency services, marked by wailing sirens, rushed to the devastated scene.

Correspondent Ali Hashem from Al Jazeera, reporting from Tyre in southern Lebanon, noted that Israel has been systematically targeting the southern suburb of Beirut for weeks. The strategy appears to focus on eliminating Hezbollah commanders to disrupt the group's command structure. Prior to this, Israel had conducted four separate attacks in the Dahiyeh area over the week, resulting in the deaths of at least three senior Hezbollah military leaders. However, Friday's attack was notably more intense, with multiple powerful blasts shaking windows city-wide, reminiscent of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The air raids came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. During his speech, he vowed to continue operations against Hezbollah until achieving "total victory" in Gaza.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, interpreting it as a blatant disregard for international calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran's embassy in Lebanon also weighed in, calling the airstrikes a "serious escalation" and promising that the "perpetrator will be punished appropriately."

In response to the attack, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that the United States had no prior knowledge of Israel's plans. She relayed that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during the operation, underscoring that the US was not involved.

This assault marks one of the most severe attacks in nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a period marked by near-daily cross-border violence since October, which Hezbollah initiated in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The conflict has led to mass displacement, with tens of thousands fleeing their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reported at least 25 deaths from Israeli attacks early Friday, bringing the week's death toll in Lebanon to over 720, among them numerous women and children. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to continue its operations against Hezbollah until its goals are achieved.