On Friday, reports emerged of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacking Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. The goal was reportedly the un-aliving of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israeli Defense Forces carried out a "precise strike" on the central headquarters of Hezbollah in Beirut, Lebanon, the IDF announced Friday.

IDF spokesperson Rear admiral Daniel Hagari said the headquarters were intentionally built in the heart of the Dahieh in Beirut under residential buildings "as part of Hezbollah's strategy of using Lebanese people as human shields."

Video and images show plumes of smoke rising over Beirut following the Israeli strikes. Witnesses say they heard multiple strikes.

Fox News has learned the target of the attack was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Note the report states that, as is their usual practice, the Hezbollah headquarters was set up amongst residential buildings; once again, we see Hezbollah using Lebanese civilians as human shields and propaganda targets.

SCOOP: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah targeted in Beriut, Fox News has learned. Unclear if the strike was successful. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/PgUedlkLSX

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) September 27, 2024

Hezbollah's al-Manar television reported that four buildings were destroyed and there were many casualties in the multiple strikes, which marked a major escalation of Israel's conflict with the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Security sources in Lebanon said the attack targeted an area where top Hezbollah officials are usually based. It was the heaviest attack in Beirut in almost a year of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

This attack may well be part of a larger operation, which could include the complex attack using loaded pagers and hand-held radios that has Hezbollah fighters looking at their electronics and seeing grenades with the pins pulled.

See Related: BOOM! New Wave of Exploding Devices in Lebanon

REPORT: Mossad Intercepted Hezbollah Pager Shipment, Loaded Them With Explosives

The reporting to date all agrees that Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was a primary target. Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah carried out attacks against Israel, including the launching of hundreds of rockets into Israel.

As of this writing, there is no information as to whether Nasrallah was at the site or whether he was injured or killed in the attack. Cutting the head of this particular snake isn't the worst goal Israel and the IDF could have, although he would no doubt be replaced by whoever Hezbollah and their masters in Tehran have waiting in the wings. However, operations like this, while tactically and strategically important, also have a psychological element to them; whoever would step up to replace Nasrallah now would know that the gloves are off, and the IDF will be looking to revoke the new leader's birth certificate at the earliest opportunity.

Things are heating up in the region, and the conflict may spread. As always, Iran is the elephant in the room; both Hezbollah and Hamas are Iranian proxies and are dependent on Iran for weapons, materials, and funds. At the moment, Iran's direct actions against Israel have been modest, but that could change.

See Related: Reeling From Israel's Attacks, Hezbollah Begs Iran to Strike Back

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Heating Up: US Sending Additional Troops to Region

This is a developing situation. As always, all of us here at RedState will continue to watch this and bring you updates as events warrant.