The demise of Hasan Nasrallah, the recognized leader of Hezbollah, has been confirmed, following a concerted airstrike campaign by Israel focused on Beirut, Lebanon. Israel has been carrying out multiple targeted operations in Lebanon over the past couple of weeks. The series of strikes last Friday targeted the Lebanese capital, with major emphasis on locations believed to be Hezbollah strongholds.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) mentioned their objective had been a ‘precise strike’ aimed at Hezbollah’s primary outpost, located beneath residential establishments in the Dahieh area of Beirut. The impact of this initial wave of attacks was palpable throughout the city as shattering windows and plumes of smoke signaled the strike’s potency.
Initial responses coming in the wake of the airstrikes did suggest that Nasrallah had survived. However, after a few hours which were characterized with high levels of uncertainty, Israeli intelligence confirmed the demise of Nasrallah. The death of Nasrallah was further validated by the Hezbollah group in a follow-up statement.
Nasrallah will no longer continue to be a source of global terror,’ stated the IDF in a firm communication. Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s demise, expressing a defiant continuity in its confrontational stance against Israel. It reiterated its commitment to the ongoing struggle, endorsing its preparedness to counterattack at strategic Israeli locations in the north.
Hezbollah’s commitment to its cause didn’t falter with their leader’s demise. ‘Hezbollah is committed to the valorous path of sacrifices and martyrs, and we are determined to continue our stride in confronting the enemy, bolstering Gaza and Palestine, and safeguarding Lebanon and its resolute and honorable people,’ was the group’s official stand.
Apart from Nasrallah, the IDF’s operations also led to the demise of several other Hezbollah leaders, one of them being Ali Karaki, the commander of Hezbollah’s southern front. Israel underscored that their operations were precise and aimed at threat neutralization, a claim buoyed by the preliminary data from Lebanon’s health ministry that indicated the death toll was six with 91 individuals injured.
Following the recent turn of events, the Israeli military representatives refrained from commenting on whether US-made Mark 84 heavy bombs had been deployed during the strike against Nasrallah. ‘The operation was executed as the high command of Hezbollah were planning and progressing terrorist activities against Israeli citizens from their headquarters,’ stated an IDF spokesperson.
In an extended statement, the representative expressed hope that Hezbollah’s approach would shift after the loss of their leader. He mentioned that the exact number of casualities among civilians remained somewhat uncertain, but he was quick to place accountability for such collateral damage on Hezbollah for positioning their bases within civilian locales.
Israel had been grappling with a year of consistent hostility from Hezbollah. ‘Over the last year, Hezbollah has been targeting us constantly. It’s only logical to assume that they’ll maintain this aggressive stance,’ explained the representative.
Concurrently, Iran seems to be formulating its response strategy, maintaining contact with Hezbollah and other allies in deliberating the ‘next step.’ In the wake of the escalated situation, there are reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader has been shifted to a secure location.
During a statement post-attack, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exalted Muslims to rally behind the Lebanese people and Hezbollah. ‘The destiny of this region is in the hands of the resistance forces, with Hezbollah as their vanguard,’ he declared.
Notably, Nasrallah’s departure will have a considerable impact on Hezbollah at this sensitive period of increasing Israeli operations. Nasrallah is the latest high-ranking casualty within the Hezbollah ranks, hinting at a consistent pattern of Israeli operations.
Particularly, on Saturday, the person in charge of Hezbollah’s missile facilities, along with his deputy, died during an Israeli attack in southern Lebanon. In the following overnight operations on Friday, the IDF reportedly managed to neutralize the head of the Hamas network in southern Syria. These events, including the elimination of other high-ranking individuals like Muhammad Qabisi earlier this month, indicate a decisive Israeli crackdown on Hezbollah.