Indeed, NATO admitted that it had attacked what it claimed was a command and control facility about this same time in this press release:
NATO continued its precision strikes against Qadhafi regime military installations in Tripoli overnight, including striking a known command and control building in the Bab al-Azizya neighbourhood shortly after 1800 GMT Saturday evening.
"All NATO's targets are military in nature and have been clearly linked to the Qadhafi regime's systematic attacks on the Libyan population and populated areas. We do not target individuals," said Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, Commander of NATO's Operation Unified Protector.
"The strike was part of NATO's coherent strategy to disrupt and destroy the command and control of those forces which have been attacking civilians."I am aware of unconfirmed media reports that some of Qadhafi's family members may have been killed," Lieutenant-General Bouchard said. "We regret all loss of life, especially the innocent civilians being harmed as a result of the ongoing conflict. NATO is fulfilling its UN mandate to stop and prevent attacks against civilians with precision and care - unlike Qadhafi's forces, which are causing so much suffering." (source)
Neither the media nor NATO could confirm that, indeed, Gaddafi family members were slain though. In their first government-sponsored tour of the carnage, they were shown no bodies. Perhaps this is forthcoming.
At least one journalist noted that it seemed hard to see how anyone could survive such devastation:
Christian Fraser BBC News, Tripoli:
Earlier on Saturday evening we heard three enormous explosions to the west of the city. Normally we are taken to the bomb sites within an hour, but on this occasion there were a lot of concerned faces around the hotel, a lot of whispering and secrecy.
Two hours later we were eventually brought to the villa, which was surrounded by reinforced concrete, cameras, and military positions. This is clearly an exclusive neighbourhood. Inside, total destruction.
There were signs there had been a family gathering. There were no bodies in the house, they had been removed, and we are reliant on the government's account of what happened.
It's hard to imagine that anyone could have escaped unscathed, though according to the government spokesman the Libyan leader and his wife were present and are safe and well. But there's no independent evidence they were there. (source)
The loud blasts, heard many blocks away, would almost certainly create a concussion and/or damage to one's ear drums for anyone lucky enough to survive shrapnel wounds and falling debris.
Consequently, one must ask, was Gaddafi actually injured, even hospitalized and this is being covered up, or was he, on the other hand, even in the building?
Meanwhile, corroboration or no corroboration, thousands took to the streets in celebration at the announcement of a Gaddafi family member dying, so bitter is their hatred toward Gaddafi, as noted in this photo:
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