Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Beirut: Biden Says US Not Involved

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israel’s military announced on Saturday that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting the group’s headquarters in Beirut.

The militant group Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death, stating that its long-standing chief had “joined his fellow martyrs.”

Israel’s Tactical Airstrike

The airstrike took place on Friday afternoon, hitting Hezbollah’s “central headquarters” in the Dahieh area of Beirut, which has long served as the group’s stronghold.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that Nasrallah, along with other senior Hezbollah figures, was killed while they were operating from a command center embedded under a residential building.

“Nasrallah was eliminated by the IDF, together with Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and additional Hezbollah commanders,” the IDF stated.

According to Israeli officials, the airstrike was conducted using bunker busters, designed to penetrate underground targets, in an effort to minimize civilian casualties by striking during daytime hours.

US Reaction on Nasrallah’s Death

President Joe Biden quickly distanced the United States from the Israeli operation, saying, “We had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action.”

He noted that more information is being gathered about the strike but reiterated that the U.S. was not involved.

Hezbollah and Iran React

In a statement issued shortly after Nasrallah’s death, Hezbollah pledged to “continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.”

Iran’s state media also reported that General Abbas Nilforoushan, a high-ranking official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in the same strike.

Nilforoushan had been under U.S. sanctions for his role in suppressing protests within Iran, and his death further deepens the crisis in the region.

A Year of Hostilities

The strike that killed Nasrallah is the latest in a series of confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been launching rocket and drone attacks on Israel from Lebanon for almost a year.

These actions escalated sharply after Hezbollah intervened on behalf of Hamas during the Gaza conflict that began in October 2023.

Since then, Israel has conducted a series of targeted attacks aimed at Hezbollah’s leadership, including a July strike that killed senior Hezbollah commander Fu’ad Shukr.

These strikes have severely damaged Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, though the group continues to hold significant power in Lebanon.

Civilian Casualties and Destruction

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least six civilians were killed and 91 wounded in the Friday strike, with many feared to be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

The blasts leveled several high-rise apartment buildings in Beirut, the largest explosions the city has seen since the start of the Hezbollah-Israel hostilities.

While the IDF claimed that the airstrike targeted Hezbollah’s underground command facility, the damage to residential areas has drawn criticism.

Hezbollah condemned the strike as a “cowardly terrorist act” and vowed retaliation.

“We will continue our jihad in confronting the enemy, supporting Gaza, and defending Lebanon,” the group said.

Leadership Uncertainty

Nasrallah had led Hezbollah since 1992, steering the group through multiple conflicts with Israel and expanding its military capabilities with the backing of Iran.

His death leaves a significant leadership gap in the organization, which has already seen several senior figures eliminated in recent Israeli operations.

According to media reports, Nasrallah’s deputy, Naim Qassem, or senior official Hashem Safieddine could be his likely successors.

However, given the substantial losses the group has suffered, Hezbollah’s immediate priority may be survival rather than leadership succession.

Regional Implications

Israel’s strike on Hezbollah’s leadership is likely to heighten tensions across the Middle East, particularly with Iran, Hezbollah’s primary sponsor.

The killing of General Nilforoushan adds a new dimension to the conflict, as Iran may seek retaliation for the loss of one of its senior military figures.

While Israel insists that it does not seek a broader regional war, the recent strikes suggest a determination to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

With Nasrallah’s death, the region stands on the edge of further escalation, as all eyes turn to Hezbollah’s next move.

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