Hezbollah has officially confirmed the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following claims by Israel that he was killed in an airstrike on Friday in Beirut.
The militant group released a statement accusing Israel of a “treacherous Zionist airstrike on the southern suburbs,” which resulted in Nasrallah’s death.
Israel’s military has claimed responsibility for the airstrike, stating that it successfully targeted Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Nasrallah was killed along with Ali Karki, Hezbollah’s Southern Front Commander, and several other senior leaders.
The airstrike, which struck Beirut’s southern region, has been described by Israeli officials as a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership.
Details of the Airstrike
The airstrike was part of a broader military operation carried out by Israel on Friday, targeting what Israeli forces described as Hezbollah’s “central headquarters” in southern Beirut.
Israel’s army chief, Herzi Halevi, stated that the attack was carefully planned over an extended period and executed at an opportune moment. Halevi also emphasised that the airstrike was just one component of Israel’s broader military strategy, warning that further actions could be taken against Hezbollah in the future.
In addition to the reported deaths of Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders, at least six civilians were killed, and 91 others were injured in the airstrikes, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health. The ministry also noted that the number of casualties could rise as rescue operations continue.
The Israeli military claimed that their strikes targeted key Hezbollah command centres, as well as facilities used for the production and storage of weapons.
This marked the continuation of Israeli strikes into Saturday, as Israeli forces launched additional airstrikes across Lebanon, focusing on areas in eastern and southern regions of the country, including Baalbek and Nabatiyeh.
Nasrallah’s Role in Hezbollah
Hassan Nasrallah was a central figure in Hezbollah, transforming the group into one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East.
Born in Beirut in 1960, Nasrallah grew up during the Lebanese Civil War and began his involvement in militant activities in the early 1980s, particularly after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Under his leadership, Hezbollah grew in strength, becoming a formidable force with influence across Lebanon and beyond.
His death marks a major loss for Hezbollah, a group that has long relied on his leadership to maintain its political and military strength.