Leader of Lebanese militant group Hassan Nasrallah assassinated in monstrous Israeli strike that flattened an entire Beirut neighbourhood
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has claimed it eliminated Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah paramilitary group, in a strike on Beirut, Lebanon.
In a statement on Saturday, the IDF confirmed media reports that the top official was killed in the bombing of an underground compound belonging to the militant group in the Dahiyeh suburb in the Lebanese capital. “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” it added.
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 28, 2024. © AP / Hassan Ammar
According to the IDF, Nasrallah “was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers” as well as numerous other “terrorist activities.” “The IDF will continue operating against anyone who promotes and engages in terrorism against the State of Israel and its people,” the statement warned.
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of Nasrallah despite initial reports that he was not harmed in the Israeli airstrikes.
He was praised in a Hezbollah statement as “a great martyr” and “a heroic, daring, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader.”
Israeli Defence Forces profile of Hassan Nasrallah
The Israeli military also said that the strike killed Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, after receiving “precise intelligence.” It earlier claimed to have “eliminated” Muhammad Ali Ismail, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Missile Unit, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, as well as several other operatives and senior members of the group.
Intelligence analysts suggest that Mossad the Israeli intelligence agency has penetrated the militant group and knows the real time location data of the militant’s group’s leadership.
US President Joe Biden has ordered the Defense Department to respond accordingly to the latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, the White House has said.
Israeli Defence Forces media handout
“He has directed the Pentagon to assess and adjust as necessary US force posture in the region to enhance deterrence, ensure force protection, and support the full range of US objectives,” the statement read.
Tehran accused Washington of being “complicit” in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, alleging that the IDF used US-supplied bunker buster bombs on residential areas in Beirut.
“One cannot disregard the US’s complicity in the crime… The Israeli regime used several 5,000-pound bunker busters that had been gifted to them by the United States to hit residential areas in Beirut,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during a UN Security Council meeting in New York.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was transferred to a secure location after Israel claimed to have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Reuters reports, citing local sources.
Unnamed officials also told the agency that Iran is maintaining close contact with the Lebanese-based Islamist group to determine what to do next.
“The Zionist criminals need to know that they are far too weak to be able to inflict any significant damage on the solid structure of Lebanon’s Hezbollah.” Khamenei said in a statement.
“It is an obligation for all Muslims to stand with the people of Lebanon and the honorable Hezbollah, offering their resources and assistance as Hezbollah confronts the usurping, cruel, malicious Zionist regime.” He added.
Nasrallah, 64, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the Middle East and has earned a reputation as a sworn enemy of Israel. The cleric assumed leadership of Hezbollah in 1992 and played a major role in increasing the group’s strength and clout. Under his watch, it acquired longer-range rockets that allowed it to strike northern Israel, while continuing to support the Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza and maintaining close ties with Iran.
Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged frequent cross-border strikes recently, while balancing on the brink of full-scale conflict following the start of the Israel-Hamas war last October.
Source X/RT/AP