Hassan Nasrallah, the powerful leader of Hezbollah, has reportedly been killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, according to an announcement made by the Israeli military. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, confirmed Nasrallah’s death in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Hassan Nasrallah is dead.”
A source close to Hezbollah reportedly told the AFP that communication with Hassan Nasrallah was lost on Friday night, following a series of intense Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon. The strikes hit numerous sites in southern and eastern Lebanon, following heavy rocket fire from Hezbollah into northern Israel.
Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 28, 2024
Israeli Retaliatory Strikes on Hezbollah Strongholds
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched a wave of airstrikes overnight in southern Beirut, flattening several residential buildings believed to be Hezbollah strongholds. The strikes were in retaliation to Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel, including a direct hit on Kibbutz Kabri with Fadi-1 rockets. Hezbollah claimed these attacks were in response to what they called Israeli “barbaric” aggression against Lebanon.
In a statement following Nasrallah’s reported death, the IDF said, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” suggesting that this development could mark a turning point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Impact on Hezbollah and Lebanon
Nasrallah has been a dominant figure in Lebanon, holding immense power among his Shiite supporters. He is considered the only figure within Hezbollah capable of leading the group in either waging war or brokering peace.
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His death, if confirmed, is likely to send shockwaves through the region, potentially escalating the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Additionally, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Nasrallah’s daughter, Zainab, was also killed in one of the airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s southern Beirut strongholds. However, there has been no confirmation of this from Hezbollah or Lebanese media.
Rising Tensions in Northern Israel and Lebanon
Rocket sirens were heard across northern Israel as Hezbollah continued its cross-border attacks. According to Israeli military reports, two surface-to-surface missiles were fired from Lebanon, with one landing in an open area and the other intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system.
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In response to the escalating violence, Lebanon’s health ministry ordered the evacuation of hospitals in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah’s influence is most concentrated. The ministry also instructed unaffected hospitals to prioritize emergency cases, preparing for a potential influx of casualties as the conflict continues to intensify.
Regional Implications
The death of Hassan Nasrallah, if officially confirmed, is expected to deepen tensions not only between Israel and Hezbollah but also across the broader Middle East. Nasrallah has been a central figure in shaping Hezbollah’s militant stance against Israel, and his loss could either destabilize the group or rally further support for its cause. With both sides already engaged in heavy retaliatory attacks, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalating in the near future.
