The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a precision airstrike targeting the group’s underground central headquarters in Beirut’s Dahiyeh suburb. The operation, conducted by Israeli fighter jets, also killed Ali Karchi, Hezbollah’s Southern Front commander, and other senior operatives. Israeli Chief of Staff emphasized the ongoing threat response, stating, “This is not the end of the toolbox.” The IDF highlighted that Nasrallah will no longer be able to “terrorize the world.” The strike, which leveled multiple buildings, followed intelligence indicating high-value Hezbollah targets in the area.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, following a high-precision airstrike on the group’s underground central headquarters located in the Dahiyeh suburb of southern Beirut. The operation, which took place late Friday night, also resulted in the elimination of other key Hezbollah commanders, including Ali Karchi, the commander of the group’s Southern Front. The strike was described as a coordinated effort involving the Israeli Air Force, supported by the intelligence wing and Israel’s broader defense system, ensuring a precise hit on the target, despite its location in a densely populated civilian area.
The airstrikes, which leveled six buildings in the Hezbollah stronghold, were reportedly conducted after the IDF received intelligence indicating that high-value targets were inside the structure at the time of the attack. These structures were said to conceal Hezbollah’s underground central headquarters, a crucial command center from where Nasrallah and other leaders directed the group’s operations.
During a media briefing on Saturday afternoon, Israel’s Chief of Staff declared the elimination of Nasrallah a significant victory for the IDF and a critical blow to Hezbollah’s leadership. “The message is simple: to anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel – we will know how to get to them,” he stated, reinforcing Israel’s commitment to protecting its citizens and eliminating threats to its security. He added, “This is not the end of the toolbox,” signaling that Israel is prepared to take further action if necessary to dismantle Hezbollah’s operational capabilities.
The airstrike on Nasrallah’s location follows weeks of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as Israel continues its campaign to target the militant group’s weapons caches and military infrastructure hidden beneath civilian areas in southern Lebanon. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah weapons depots, including “a range of coast-to-sea missiles originating from Iran,” which Israel has long seen as a direct threat to its naval and maritime security.
Eyewitnesses in Beirut reported multiple Israeli fighter jets flying over the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, known as a Hezbollah stronghold, late Friday night. The jets reportedly carried out several bombing raids within the span of an hour, triggering large explosions that leveled buildings in the area. The sheer magnitude and timing of the blasts led many to believe that a high-value target had been inside the building, a suspicion later confirmed by the IDF.
The strike was part of a broader Israeli military strategy aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, which has become deeply embedded in civilian areas of southern Lebanon, making it more difficult for Israel to carry out targeted operations without the risk of collateral damage. Despite these challenges, Israel has remained resolute in its efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities, particularly its missile arsenals, which pose a significant threat to Israeli cities and military assets.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency confirmed that six buildings were destroyed in the strike, although no official casualty count has been provided by Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement on Nasrallah’s death, and it remains unclear how the group’s leadership structure will respond to this major loss. Nasrallah, who had been at the helm of Hezbollah since the early 1990s, was a central figure in the group’s rise to power, shaping its military and political strategies over the past three decades. His elimination marks a significant turning point in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as his leadership was considered pivotal in coordinating Hezbollah’s activities, including its alliance with Iran and its role in regional conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War.
The IDF also emphasized that this operation was not just a reactive measure, but part of a long-term strategic plan to neutralize Hezbollah’s threat to Israel. By eliminating Nasrallah and other top commanders, Israel aims to significantly disrupt the group’s chain of command and weaken its ability to coordinate large-scale military operations against the Jewish state.
Following the strike, the IDF warned that Hezbollah’s ability to terrorize the region has been severely compromised. “Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” read a statement from the IDF, signaling Israel’s confidence in the success of the operation. However, Israeli officials also acknowledged that the threat posed by Hezbollah and its Iranian backers is far from over, and the conflict may escalate further in the wake of Nasrallah’s death.
As tensions continue to simmer in Lebanon and the broader region, the IDF is maintaining heightened security and preparedness for potential retaliatory actions by Hezbollah or its allies. Israeli military analysts have noted that while the elimination of Nasrallah is a major tactical victory for Israel, it may also provoke Hezbollah to respond with force, potentially leading to a broader conflict. Hezbollah has a long history of retaliating against Israeli actions, and Nasrallah’s death is likely to be perceived as a major affront by the group’s remaining leadership.
Israel’s airstrikes in southern Lebanon have intensified in recent months, as Hezbollah’s growing arsenal of missiles and advanced weaponry has posed an increasing threat to Israeli security. Much of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure has been built with the financial and logistical support of Iran, which has used Hezbollah as a proxy to extend its influence across the region. For Israel, Hezbollah’s military buildup, particularly its acquisition of precision-guided missiles, represents a red line that it is not willing to tolerate.
By targeting Hezbollah’s leadership and weapons caches, Israel aims to significantly degrade the group’s military capabilities, but the IDF is aware that this strategy also carries risks. Hezbollah has embedded much of its military infrastructure in civilian areas, complicating Israel’s efforts to conduct surgical strikes without causing significant collateral damage. Nevertheless, the IDF has reiterated its commitment to taking whatever actions are necessary to protect Israeli citizens and neutralize the threat posed by Hezbollah.
The death of Hassan Nasrallah is a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. As the group grapples with the loss of its long-time leader, the future of Hezbollah’s operations remains uncertain. For Israel, the elimination of Nasrallah is a major victory, but it also comes with the potential for further escalation in a region already fraught with tensions. The coming days will likely reveal whether Hezbollah’s remaining leadership will seek to retaliate, or whether Nasrallah’s death marks a turning point in the conflict.
