BEIRUT/JERUSALEM - A fresh wave of air raids hit Beirut's southern suburbs in the early hours of Sept 28 as Israel stepped up attacks on Hezbollah, after a massive strike on the Iran-backed movement's command centre that apparently targeted leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Reuters witnesses heard more than 20 separate airstrikes before dawn on Sept 28. Abandoning their homes in the southern suburbs, thousands of Lebanese congregated in squares, parks and sidewalks in downtown Beirut and seaside areas.

Heavy strikes shook southern Beirut on Sept 27 too. There was no immediate confirmation of Mr Nasrallah's fate.

But a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters he was not reachable, and the Lebanese armed group had not made a statement.

Israel has not so far said it aimed to hit Mr Nasrallah, but a senior Israeli official said senior Hezbollah commanders were targeted.

"I think it's too early to say... Sometimes they hide the fact when we succeed," the Israeli official told reporters when asked if the strike on Sept 27 had killed Mr Nasrallah.

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