Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed by Israeli Airstrike in Beirut

On Friday, Israel’s military confirmed the death of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following an airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon. Nasrallah, who had led the Iran-backed militant group for 30 years, was killed in the strike that targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters in the city’s southern suburbs. This area has long been a Hezbollah stronghold. The group, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other nations, confirmed his death, stating that Nasrallah had "joined his fellow martyrs."

The airstrike also claimed the life of Ali Karki, Hezbollah’s Southern Front commander, and several other senior leaders. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation was made possible by real-time intelligence and was aimed at Hezbollah’s leadership as they coordinated terrorist activities against Israel.

The attack marks the latest escalation in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets and drones into Israel since October 2023 in response to the war between Israel and Hamas. In addition to Nasrallah, an Iranian general, Abbas Nilforoushan, was also killed in the strike, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.

Friday’s strikes, the most significant since the start of the hostilities, resulted in widespread destruction, with multiple residential buildings leveled, killing at least 11 people and injuring over 100. The aftermath left parts of Beirut in ruins, with craters, collapsed buildings, and people trapped under the rubble.

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its "holy war" against Israel, while Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urged Muslims to stand by Lebanon and Hezbollah. Iraq also declared a three-day mourning period in solidarity.

Israeli officials have reiterated that the goal of their operations in Lebanon is to push Hezbollah away from the Israeli border, though a ground invasion remains a possibility. President Joe Biden described Nasrallah’s death as a "measure of justice" for his role in terrorism, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security while emphasizing efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.