Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah Declared Dead After Israeli Strikes in Beirut

In a significant escalation of tensions in the region, Israeli military officials confirmed on Saturday that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has been killed in a targeted airstrike on Beirut. The announcement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict involving the Iran-backed militant group.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesman, stated on social media platform X, “Hassan Nasrallah is dead,” while Captain David Avraham further confirmed to AFP that Nasrallah had been “eliminated” following airstrikes on the Lebanese capital on Friday. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) echoed this sentiment, declaring, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.”

Despite these assertions, Hezbollah has not publicly commented on the status of its leader since the airstrike, leading to speculation regarding his whereabouts and health. An unnamed source close to the group reported to AFP that contact had been lost with Nasrallah since Friday evening, coinciding with Israel’s announcement of his alleged elimination.

The airstrikes targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut and continued into the early hours of Saturday, after the Israeli military warned residents of three buildings to evacuate prior to the strikes. This military action came just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations, pledging that Israel’s operations against Hezbollah would persist, further dampening hopes for an internationally supported cease-fire. Netanyahu had abruptly cut short his visit to the United States to return to Israel in light of the escalating situation.

The conflict has already resulted in over 720 casualties in Lebanon since it intensified on Monday, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. The United Nations indicated that the number of displaced individuals in southern Lebanon has surged, with over 211,000 people now seeking refuge.

Additionally, at least 20 primary health care centers have closed in severely impacted areas, according to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The conflict was ignited when Hezbollah began launching rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas following its incursion into Israeli territory, which has further intensified the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Top Israeli officials have issued warnings of retaliatory measures similar to those taken in Gaza if Hezbollah continues its assaults, raising alarm that the destruction seen in Gaza since October 7 could be replicated in Lebanon.