Israeli military says Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in Beirut strike
Hezbollah released statement confirming death of terror chief
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, Hassan Nasrallah, died in its strike Friday against the group’s headquarters in Lebanon.
"This is not the end of our toolbox. The message is simple, anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel - We will know how to reach them," the IDF's Chief of the General Staff, Ltf. Herzi Halevi said of the elimination of Nasrallah.
The IDF attacked the Iran-backed terror proxy’s headquarters in southern Beirut, revealing that they had targeted Nasrallah. A Hezbollah media relations official initially claimed he was "fine and well," but the Israelis confirmed his death early the next morning.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hezbollah later confirmed the death of its terror chief. In a statement supplied to Reuters, it said it would continue its battle against Israel "in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people".
At least two other people were killed and dozens were wounded, Lebanon’s health ministry said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah speaks via a video link, as his supporters raise their hands, during the Shiite holy day of Ashoura, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group has issued warning to archenemy Israel over the two countries' maritime border dispute. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
"The IDF announces that yesterday (Friday), September 27th, 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and one of its founders, was eliminated by the IDF, together with Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and additional Hezbollah commanders," the IDF said in a statement.
"Following precise intelligence from the IDF and Israeli security establishment, IAF fighter jets conducted a targeted strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which was located underground embedded under a residential building in the area of Dahieh in Beirut, the statement added. "The strike was conducted while Hezbollah’s senior chain of command were operating from the headquarters and advancing terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel."
The IDF said Nasrallah was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as the planning and execution of thousands of terrorist activities around the world. The IDF said Nasrallah was Hezbollah's central decision-maker and the strategic leader.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}IDF profile picture showing Hezbollah terror chief Hassan Nasrallah who the IDF confirmed was killed in a strike on Friday. (IDF Spokesman's Unit)
On Friday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters, "The United States was not involved in Israel’s operation," noting there was "no advance warning," from the Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his trip to New York following his speech to the United Nations General Assembly where he warned Hezbollah about Israel’s right to go on the offensive.
An IDF information chart showing how it decimated the Hezbollah chain of command in recent strikes. (IDF Spokesman's Unit)
"As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely and that's exactly what we're doing," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After his speech the prime minister’s office released a picture showing the Israeli leader in his New York hotel approving the operation against the terror chief.
ISRAEL TARGETS HEZBOLLAH LEADER NASRALLAH IN STRIKE ON BEIRUT HEADQUARTERS
The IDF said it is continuing to strike terrorist infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Since last night, the IDF struck over 140 Hezbollah terror targets, including launchers aimed at Israeli civilians, buildings in which weapons were stored, strategic weaponry, weapons production facilities, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites, some embedded underneath residential buildings in the area of Beirut," the IDF said.
"The IDF is continuing to operate to degrade and dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure and capabilities," it added.
Rich Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Nasrallah’s death would prove a significant victory for Israel due to his close ties to Tehran.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This photo shows the Israeli Air Force command on the night of the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization. (IDF)
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"People don't appreciate that Nasrallah took over for Soleimani as senior strategist for Khamenei," Goldberg explained.
"Nasrallah had operational control of Lebanon and Syria: This is not just a strategic game-changer for Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria, it's a strategic game-changer for Tehran," Goldberg explained. "We should assume that the IRGC is effectively in charge behind the scenes. Khamenei clearly had made a decision in recent weeks to avoid inviting Israeli strikes inside Iran."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The calculus that led to that decision hasn't changed," Goldberg added. "Should Khamenei decide he's feeling lucky tonight and order a direct attack, we should reset all our assumptions about what Israel is willing to do inside Iran."
Reuters contributed to this report.