BEIRUT: A huge Israeli strike hit Beirut's densely populated southern suburbs Friday, flattening buildings in an operation the Israeli military said targeted Hezbollah's headquarters but a source close to the group said its leader was "fine".
"The Israeli strikes levelled six buildings," the source said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.
A video obtained by AFP showed an enormous explosion and thick plumes of smoke rising from buildings in the densely populated area. The strikes triggered loud explosions that were heard across the capital.
The Israeli military said it carried out "a precise strike on the central headquarters" of Hezbollah, while leading Israeli television networks reported that the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target.
"Sayyed Nasrallah is fine," the source close to Hezbollah said.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's health ministry said two people were killed and 76 wounded in a huge Israeli air strike in Beirut's densely populated southern suburbs on 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 hospitalisation," a ministry statement said.
An AFP photographer reported scenes of panic, with residents fleeing the southern suburbs.
Hezbollah's Al-Manar television said the strikes created huge craters in several places.
Since last week, a series of Israeli strikes have hit the southern suburbs, targeting senior Hezbollah commanders.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the international community to "stop" Israel from waging a "genocidal war" against Lebanon.
A US official said that Washington "did not get any advance warning before Israel launched this operation".