On Saturday, the Israeli military claimed that it had killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike targeting the group’s headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut. This announcement comes just one day after the attack, adding to the escalating tensions in the region.
Despite the Israeli military’s assertions, there has been no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah officials regarding Nasrallah’s status. The Iran-backed organization, which Nasrallah has led for over three decades, has remained silent on the matter. Meanwhile, sources close to Hezbollah have informed Reuters that Nasrallah is alive, with Iran’s Tasnim news agency also asserting his safety. A senior Iranian security official indicated that efforts were underway to verify his condition.
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah has transformed into a formidable force in the Middle East, amplifying Iran’s influence in the region. If confirmed, his death would not only signify a significant blow to Hezbollah but would also impact Iran, which established the group through its Revolutionary Guards in 1982. In the wake of the airstrike, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee proclaimed on X that the military had successfully “eliminated… Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
The military also reported the death of another senior Hezbollah figure, Ali Karaki. Adraee emphasized that Nasrallah’s absence would prevent him from continuing to “terrorize the world.”
Following the airstrike on Friday, Israel conducted additional attacks on Hezbollah positions, further straining the already fragile situation. These developments have raised fears of a broader conflict, as the Israeli military stated that the strikes aimed to thwart ongoing terrorist activities being coordinated by Hezbollah against Israeli citizens. The region remains on high alert as the fallout from this incident continues to unfold.
