Israel announced on Saturday that it had killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs, a significant blow to the group amid rising tensions with Israel.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has not yet released any official statement regarding Nasrallah’s status. Reuters has been unable to reach Hezbollah representatives for comment.
If confirmed, the death of Nasrallah, who has led Hezbollah for 32 years, would mark a substantial setback for the organization and its Iranian allies. Nasrallah has long been a key figure in the “Axis of Resistance,” projecting Iranian influence across the region.
The Israeli military stated that the strike, which took place in the Hezbollah-controlled Dahiyeh district, was aimed at the group’s underground headquarters located beneath a residential building. The airstrike reportedly killed Nasrallah along with another senior leader, Ali Karaki, and other commanders.
“The strike was carried out while Hezbollah’s top leadership was operating from the headquarters, advancing terror activities against Israeli citizens,” said the military’s statement.
Friday’s airstrike in Dahiyeh rocked Beirut, with a Lebanese security source noting that the powerful blasts left a crater at least 20 meters deep. Israel continued its airstrikes on Saturday, hitting Dahiyeh and other areas of Lebanon, intensifying the conflict between the two sides.
The recent escalation has raised concerns of the conflict spiraling out of control, with fears that it could draw in Iran and the United States. While initial reports on Friday suggested Nasrallah was alive, Hezbollah has since remained silent on his status, and Iran is reportedly verifying the situation.