The Killing of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah: A Major Escalation
The Israeli military has confirmed that a series of airstrikes in central Beirut resulted in the death of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-standing head of the Hezbollah militant organization. This incident marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified throughout the Middle East since October 2023.
Hezbollah has not issued any statements regarding Nasrallah’s condition, but the group has confirmed his death. The airstrikes on Friday resulted in the destruction of multiple large residential structures in southern Beirut, with six individuals reported dead and over 90 injured.
Israeli officials identified the targeted sites as Hezbollah’s headquarters, and the strikes have continued into Saturday morning, targeting areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs and other locations within Lebanon. The Israeli military has indicated that reserve troops would be mobilized near the Lebanese border, where numerous Hezbollah rockets continue to launch towards northern and central Israel.
Israel has been preparing for a potential ground invasion in southern Lebanon and has been calling up reservists over the past several days. The Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, stated that the unprecedented strikes aimed at Hezbollah’s leadership were “not the end” of what he referred to as Israel’s “toolbox”.
