Israel Announces Death of Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut Strike
In a major development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon, the Israeli military announced on Friday that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has been killed in a strike on Beirut. The news was confirmed by Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, who posted a message on X stating, "Hassan Nasrallah is dead."
The Israeli strikes targeted dozens of Hezbollah sites in eastern and southern Lebanon, following intense rocket fire by the group into northern Israel. Israeli jets bombarded Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut overnight, flattening several residential buildings. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that Nasrallah would no longer be able to terrorize the world, adding that this was not the end of their toolbox and that anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel would be reached.
Nasrallah, 64, has been the leader of Hezbollah for 32 years and has been widely seen as the only figure capable of waging war or brokering peace in Lebanon. He has immense power in the country, particularly among his Shiite supporters. His daughter, Zainab, was reportedly killed in one of the airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, although this has not been confirmed by Hezbollah or Lebanese media.
The Israeli military has stated that Nasrallah was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers, and the planning and execution of thousands of terrorist activities. He was also accused of directing and executing terrorist attacks around the world in which civilians of various nationalities were murdered.
The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has been escalating in recent days, with air raid sirens being heard across northern Israel, signaling an imminent threat from rockets launched across the Lebanese border. Two surface-to-surface missiles were fired from Lebanon, one falling in an open area and the other being intercepted.
The Israeli bombing of Lebanon has killed more than 700 people and displaced around 118,000. The Lebanese health ministry has ordered the evacuation of hospitals in Beirut's southern suburbs, bracing for further escalation.
The death of Hassan Nasrallah is a significant development in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the situation on the ground. The Israeli military has stated that it will continue to take action against anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel, and the Lebanese government has urged its citizens to remain calm and avoid escalating the situation.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community is watching with bated breath, hoping that a peaceful resolution can be reached soon. However, with the death of Nasrallah, the situation has become even more volatile, and it remains to be seen how the different parties involved will respond to this development.
