The Israeli military's recent airstrikes have brought significant developments in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli forces claimed responsibility for killing not only the group’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, but also over 20 other members in an airstrike targeting underground headquarters in Beirut.
This attack comes amid the backdrop of escalating violence in the region, and has led to heightened tensions with Iran, which has called for a UN Security Council meeting to discuss Israel's recent actions in Lebanon.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that an airstrike in Beirut resulted in the death of Hassan Nasrallah along with over 20 other members of Hezbollah.
According to Israel, these individuals were killed while meeting in an underground facility located beneath civilian buildings, which reportedly served as a hub for Hezbollah's military operations against Israel.
The remains of Hassan Nasrallah were recovered from the site of the attack in southern Beirut. According to news reports, Nasrallah’s body was found intact, with indications suggesting blunt trauma from the explosion as the cause of death.
While Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader, it did not provide details about the exact circumstances or timing of the incident. The militant group vowed to continue its struggle, referring to Nasrallah as a "martyr."
The airstrike involved the use of 85 bunker-buster bombs—heavyweight ground penetration munitions designed to destroy underground structures. Israel’s military claimed that the attack was precise, and targeted the Hezbollah leadership as they gathered at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, in the southern part of Beirut.
Israel also stated that it tracked Nasrallah’s location for several months before launching the fatal strike. The decision to act was reportedly taken without informing the United States, as Israel feared that it would lose the opportunity to eliminate Nasrallah if it was delayed.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that the airstrikes led to the death of six civilians and injured 91 others, highlighting the risk of significant collateral damage during military actions targeting heavily populated areas.
In response, the Lebanese government declared a five-day mourning period across the country, with all shops, businesses, and government offices remaining closed.
The Israeli military's campaign has not been limited to Nasrallah. They claim to have eliminated eight of Hezbollah's top nine commanders this year, significantly weakening the group's leadership.
Israel also stated that they have struck hundreds of Hezbollah targets within Lebanon since Saturday, focusing on military infrastructure and weapons facilities.
The replacement for Hassan Nasrallah as the leader of Hezbollah is expected to be Hashem Safieddine, who is a cousin of Nasrallah and a long-time member of the group. Israeli officials noted that Safieddine was not present in the bunker that was targeted in Beirut. The current power shift within Hezbollah may alter the dynamics of the group’s leadership and future actions.
In response to the attack, Iranian officials strongly condemned the killing of Hassan Nasrallah. Iran has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Israel’s recent actions, particularly the killing of Nasrallah and its military strikes in Lebanon.
In a letter to the council, Iran’s ambassador emphasised the potential for escalation, warning that Iran would not tolerate further attacks on its diplomatic premises and reaffirming the country’s readiness to defend its interests.
The United States has backed Israel's recent actions, with President Joe Biden describing the strike on Nasrallah as a "measure of justice" against his history of militant activities.
President Biden noted that Nasrallah’s actions in support of Hamas after its attacks on Israeli civilians in October 2023 further justified the operation. Biden reiterated his support for Israel in its efforts to defend itself from militant threats.
The Israeli military indicated that the operation targeting Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders was carried out with precision, claiming no errors were made during the planning or execution of the attack.
High-ranking officials from the Israeli Air Force expressed confidence in the success of the operation, highlighting the accuracy and effectiveness of their intelligence and military resources.
In the face of these airstrikes and heightened military activity, Israel has made it clear that it will continue its campaign against Hezbollah. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel's chief of staff, stated that Nasrallah’s death was "not the end" and emphasised Israel's commitment to targeting Hezbollah's capabilities.
The Israeli military is determined to eliminate Hezbollah's capacity to attack Israeli territory, which they view as part of the militant group's support for Hamas in Gaza.
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