In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel claims it has killed Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an airstrike targeting the militia's central headquarters in Beirut. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted the strike on Friday, hitting a bunker under a residential complex in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. The IDF has yet to receive official confirmation from Hezbollah regarding Nasrallah's death, although reports from Lebanese and Iranian media have fueled speculation about his fate.
If confirmed, Nasrallah's death would mark the loss of one of the most influential figures in Lebanon and a key ally of Iran in the region. Nasrallah, who has led Hezbollah since 1992, played a critical role in bolstering Iran's presence across the Middle East, from Syria to Yemen. The Israeli strike also reportedly killed several other senior Hezbollah officials, including Ali Karaki, the group's southern front commander, and Iranian Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, a key military advisor to Hezbollah. Tehran has yet to confirm Nilforoushan's death.
The operation, codenamed "New Order," was meticulously planned, with Israeli forces dropping dozens of 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Hezbollah's headquarters. The impact of the strike was felt across Beirut, leveling apartment buildings and leaving a crater at least 20 meters deep. Lebanon's health ministry confirmed that at least six civilians were killed, with 91 others wounded, although the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
The White House quickly distanced itself from the Israeli strike, with President Joe Biden stating that the U.S. had no prior knowledge of the attack. "The United States had no involvement in this operation," Biden told reporters, underscoring the growing tensions between Washington's calls for a ceasefire and Israel's aggressive military campaign. Israeli officials had initially claimed they notified the U.S. before the strike, but Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh denied that the U.S. had any advanced warning.
Nasrallah's potential death comes as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, with over 720 people reportedly killed in Lebanon in the past 11 days of fighting. Hezbollah has retaliated by launching hundreds of rockets at Israel, further stoking fears of a broader regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cut short his trip to New York following the strike, made it clear that Israel would continue its offensive. "As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice but to defend itself," Netanyahu said during an address to the United Nations General Assembly just hours before the strike.
The situation on the ground in Lebanon remains dire. Residents in Hezbollah-controlled areas, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, have been evacuating in droves. Many have sought shelter in downtown Beirut, while others have fled to the mountains to escape the relentless airstrikes. "We had fled before, but the bombing got more intense, so we came here, waiting for Netanyahu to stop the bombing," said Dalal Daher, one of the displaced residents now camping out near Beirut's Martyrs Square.
Meanwhile, Israeli air defenses have successfully intercepted many of the rockets fired from Lebanon, minimizing damage on the Israeli side. Nonetheless, the escalating violence has prompted warnings from international officials about the potential for the conflict to spiral out of control. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the situation in the Middle East "precarious" and urged all parties to take steps to avoid a wider war. "The choices made in the coming days will have profound consequences for the region and the world," Blinken said.
As the conflict intensifies, Hezbollah's leadership remains in question. If Nasrallah's death is confirmed, it would leave a significant vacuum in Hezbollah's ranks. One possible successor is Hashim Safi al-Din, who heads the group's executive council. However, it remains unclear whether he or other senior Hezbollah figures were also killed in the Israeli strike.
The attack has already prompted sharp reactions from Hezbollah's supporters and regional allies. The Iranian embassy in Beirut condemned the strike as a "serious escalation," warning that it could lead to further destabilization in Lebanon. Iran, which has long supported Hezbollah as a key part of its "Axis of Resistance," is likely to seek retribution, particularly if its own military officials were among those killed.
