Israel strikes central Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut

The Israeli military announced that it hit Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut on Friday with powerful explosions that marked the biggest blast on the Lebanese capital this year.

At least two people were killed and dozens were injured in the strike, which sent clouds of orange and black smoke into the sky.

Israeli media has claimed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of the attack.

Nasrallah has been in hiding for years, very rarely appearing in public with his speeches usually made by video from unknown locations.

The targeted site had not been publicly known as Hezbollah’s main headquarters. However, it is located in the group’s “security quarters” — a heavily guarded part of Haret Hreik where it has offices and runs several nearby hospitals.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) declined to comment on the claim, however the size of the blasts imply a senior leader was present when the buildings were hit.

In a possible further sign of the significance of the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cut short a visit to the US and return to Israel immediately.

Hours earlier, Netanyahu vowed that Israel's campaign against Hezbollah would continue — diminishing hopes for an internationally backed ceasefire.

Israel this week announced further plans to eliminate Hezbollah’s senior leadership and end 11 months of Hezbollah rocket fire into its territory.

Israeli army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the strikes pummelling Lebanon's capital were targeted towards the main Hezbollah headquarters, located beneath residential buildings.

Although the precise scope of Israel’s operation remains unclear, officials have said a ground invasion to push the militant group away from the border is a possibility.

Israel's strikes this week have killed more than 720 people in Lebanon, including dozens of women and children, according to statistics collected by the Health Ministry.