Heavy Attacks by Israel on Hezbollah on Friday Night; Biden Calls for Prevention of Widespread War

Israel continued its attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, targeting the positions and headquarters of the group in the Dahieh area of Beirut on Thursday night, October 12, and early Friday, October 13. At the same time, U.S. President Joe Biden called for the prevention of a widespread war in the region. Reuters reported early Friday, Lebanese time, that following Israeli airstrikes on Dahieh, several 'massive' explosions were heard, and flames and smoke were seen in the area. Moments later, Israeli media reported that the target of Friday morning's attacks in Dahieh was Hashem Safi al-Din, the most likely candidate to replace Hassan Nasrallah. The New York Times also cited three Israeli officials stating that these attacks targeted a meeting of Hezbollah's senior leaders, including Hashem Safi al-Din. The Israeli army had asked civilians near Hezbollah's bases in Dahieh to evacuate the area immediately due to the airstrikes. Meanwhile, late Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House, 'I think we can prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East.' He emphasized U.S. support for Israel, stating, 'I don't think a full-scale war will happen. I think we can prevent that from happening, but there is still a lot of work to do. There is still a lot to be done to achieve this goal.' Leaders of seven industrialized and democratic countries expressed their 'deep concern over the worsening situation in the Middle East' in a statement on Thursday, warning that the 'dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliations' could lead to 'uncontrollable escalation' of conflicts, which 'benefits no one.' The U.S. supported Israel's approach in ceasefire negotiations regarding Gaza, and there are indications of the Islamic Republic's involvement in recent attacks on Israeli embassies in Denmark and Sweden. The G7 statement condemned the IRGC's missile attack on Israel and warned about uncontrollable escalation of conflicts. Israel reported on its attack on Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in Beirut and the killing of 'Mohammad Youssef Anisi.' Satellite images showed damage to part of an airbase in Israel following the IRGC's missile attack.