Hezbollah confirmed that its leader and founder, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, was the most powerful target to be killed by Israel in weeks of intensified fighting. The Israeli military conducted a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leadership was meeting at their headquarters. In addition to Nasrallah, Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and additional Hezbollah commanders were also killed in the attack.
Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, stated that the elimination of Nasrallah was not the end of their actions, indicating that more strikes were planned. Israel has vowed to increase pressure on Hezbollah until it halts its attacks on Israel. The recent fighting has displaced tens of thousands of Israelis from communities near the Lebanese border and over 200,000 Lebanese citizens. Israel is mobilizing reserve soldiers, activating three battalions to serve across the country. The army is on high readiness as tensions escalate with Lebanon.
Iran has called for support for Hezbollah following Nasrallah’s death. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that the resistance movement, led by Hezbollah, will decide the fate of the region. Iran is the main supporter of Lebanese Hezbollah and other militant groups in the region. The Iranian parliamentary committee of national security demanded a strong response to Israel, and anti-Israeli rallies were held in major cities in Iran in support of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah started firing rockets on Israel in support of Gaza in response to an attack by Hamas militants. The hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated over the past year, displacing thousands of civilians on both sides of the border. Last week, a significant explosion caused severe injuries and deaths in Lebanon, believed to be orchestrated by Israel. Israel has also killed several top Hezbollah commanders in Beirut.
The death of Hassan Nasrallah is seen as a historical moment by experts, but it does not mean the end of Hezbollah, which comprises tens of thousands of members. Nasrallah was sometimes a voice of reason within the organization, holding back from unleashing full-scale attacks on Israel. His death may prompt other Hezbollah members to use stronger weapons in the ongoing conflict. Nasrallah’s death could provide a window of opportunity for Lebanon to weaken Hezbollah’s influence and avoid a full-scale war with Israel.
Following Nasrallah’s death, Israel continued airstrikes in southern Beirut and eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah retaliated by launching projectiles into northern and central Israel. The violence has resulted in the death of at least 720 people in Lebanon. The streets of Beirut were empty, with shelters overflowing and many families seeking refuge in public squares or fleeing on foot. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has caused significant devastation and displacement in the region.
