Israel announced on Saturday that it had killed Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut‘s southern suburbs. The strike, targeting Hezbollah’s underground headquarters, allegedly also killed top commander Ali Karaki. Hezbollah has yet to confirm Nasrallah’s death.
The Israeli military stated the strike was aimed at Hezbollah’s leadership, who were advancing terrorist operations against Israel.The attack, along with further airstrikes in Lebanon, has escalated tensions, raising concerns about the conflict spreading to involve Iran and the United States.
What the Israeli military said
- “We have seen the impact of our operations in the past week on what Hezbollah could do.”
- “Our actions against Hezbollah prevented a wider attack.”
- “We are ready for wider escalation, our forces are on high alert.”
- “We hope this will change Hezbollah’s actions.”
- Nasrallah was at Hezbollah’s underground headquarters.
- “Under his leadership, Lebanon became an armed base.”
- “There is still a way to go; Hezbollah still has the capacity to fire into Israel.”
- “We are focusing on removing the threat of strategic weapons, eliminating senior terrorists, and pushing them away from the border.”
- “No changes to home front civilian readiness instructions; guidelines already call for high alert in many areas.”
- Declined to comment on whether U.S.-made Mark 84 heavy bombs were used in the strike against Nasrallah.
- “We are focusing on removing threats of terror attacks, including guided missiles that could be launched at strategic points.”
- Declined to go into intelligence behind Nasrallah’s death but confirmed it.
- “Hezbollah had a plan to infiltrate Israeli communities, murder, and kidnap Israeli citizens.”
- “Before every strike, there is a discussion with the legal team and consideration of collateral damage.”
- “Not sure of civilian casualties; it’s part of Hezbollah’s way of operating – hiding behind civilians.”