Nasrallah’s Death Reported in Israeli Airstrike
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah following a significant Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon. Israel’s military announced that Nasrallah was killed in the strike on Friday, which targeted Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut.
Hezbollah’s Response to the Airstrike
Hezbollah described the event as a “treacherous Zionist airstrike,” marking the death of Nasrallah as a major blow to the group. Alongside Nasrallah, several other high-ranking Hezbollah commanders, including Ali Karki, the leader of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, were also reported killed.
Israeli Military’s Statement
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they had successfully eliminated Nasrallah after “a long period of preparation.” This airstrike was part of a broader military operation aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s command infrastructure. Israeli officials claimed that the attack struck Hezbollah’s central operations center and warned that more strikes would follow, emphasizing that this was just the beginning of their military campaign.
The Significance of Nasrallah’s Death
The death of Hassan Nasrallah, who has led Hezbollah since 1992, is seen as a critical moment for the group. Nasrallah was instrumental in turning Hezbollah into one of the most formidable paramilitary forces in the Middle East. Under his leadership, Hezbollah had major military successes, such as the end of Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000 and the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.
Iranian Reaction
Iran, Hezbollah’s primary ally and supporter, responded swiftly to the news. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assured Hezbollah that Iran and “all regional resistance forces” would continue to stand by them. Khamenei stated that Israel was “too small to cause significant damage” to Hezbollah and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to supporting the group.
Continued Strikes and Hezbollah’s Retaliation
Following the attack, Israel continued airstrikes on Lebanon throughout Saturday. Reports from the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) confirmed that Israeli planes bombed various areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. Hezbollah retaliated by launching a barrage of rockets targeting northern Israel, including locations like Rosh Pina and Avivim. No injuries were reported from the rocket attacks.
Impact on Hezbollah’s Leadership
Nasrallah’s death raises questions about the future of Hezbollah’s leadership. Experts like Hanin Ghaddar from the Washington Institute noted that Nasrallah’s death would have a significant demoralizing impact on Hezbollah’s ranks. However, she emphasized that Hezbollah’s structure is designed to withstand such losses and continue its operations. Although Nasrallah was a symbol of Hezbollah’s strength, particularly in its “golden days,” the group is expected to remain operational under the guidance of remaining leaders.
Hezbollah’s Military Capabilities
Despite the loss of its leader and other top commanders, Hezbollah still retains significant military capabilities. The group is believed to possess precision-guided missiles and long-range artillery capable of inflicting serious damage on Israel. Hezbollah has already demonstrated its resilience, launching regular attacks on Israel’s northern border in response to Israeli airstrikes.
Future Leadership and Iran’s Role
With Nasrallah gone, there are few potential leaders within Hezbollah who can match his popularity. Ghaddar speculated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could play a more direct role in managing Hezbollah’s affairs, given the significant ties between the two. However, this transition would not be easy, as Iran lacks a deep understanding of Lebanon’s complex political landscape, which Nasrallah had mastered during his tenure.
Hospitals in Beirut Begin Evacuation
As Israeli airstrikes intensified in Beirut, the Lebanese Health Ministry announced the evacuation of hospitals in the Dahiyeh suburb of the capital. The strikes had caused substantial damage to Hezbollah strongholds in the area, and the Ministry urged hospitals in unaffected areas to prepare for an influx of patients from Dahiyeh.
A Historic Blow to Hezbollah
This week marks one of the most significant blows to Hezbollah since its formation in the early 1980s. In addition to the loss of key leaders, Israel has also targeted Hezbollah’s infrastructure, including weapon depots and communication facilities. Despite these challenges, Hezbollah continues to demonstrate its ability to respond to Israeli aggression with force, launching rocket strikes deep into Israel’s territory.
International Reactions and Future Tensions
The killing of Nasrallah has sent shockwaves throughout the region. Hezbollah’s supporters, including Iran and other regional allies, have vowed to continue supporting the group. Meanwhile, Israel is bracing for possible escalations as Hezbollah reorganizes and regroups. The situation remains fluid, and the full implications of Nasrallah’s death for the broader Israel-Hezbollah conflict are yet to unfold.