The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday that they had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a targeted airstrike on Beirut. The strike, which took place on Friday, was part of a large-scale assault on the Lebanese capital, according to Israeli military sources.
“Hassan Nasrallah is dead,” stated Israeli army spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani on social media platform X, confirming the long-time leader’s death. Nasrallah had led the Iran-backed militant group for over three decades, cementing his role as a key figure in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Alongside Nasrallah, the IDF reported the death of Ali Karki, a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for the group’s southern front operations. The deaths of both leaders are expected to deal a significant blow to Hezbollah’s operational capabilities amid ongoing hostilities with Israel.
Although Hezbollah has not yet made an official statement, the killing of Nasrallah, if confirmed, represents a major shift in the dynamics of the conflict. Nasrallah had been a central figure for Hezbollah since he took over the group’s leadership in 1992, following the assassination of his predecessor. His death marks the culmination of several months of escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, which began earlier this week, have so far resulted in the deaths of more than 700 people, with many casualties being civilians. This latest escalation has prompted widespread protests across the Middle East, including demonstrations in Iran, where protesters have called for retaliation against Israel.
