WIPED OUT: Hezbollah terror boss Hassan Nasrallah KILLED in massive missile blitz on chief’s Beirut HQ
Nasrallah's death could mark a huge turning point in the conflict - and spark major escalation between Israel and Iran
By Nick Parker
September 28, 2024
HEZBOLLAH leader Hassan Nasrallah has been killed following a massive missile barrage in Lebanon, Israel claims.
Deadly Israeli strikes ripped through the 64-year-old terror chief’s underground command post in Beirut on Friday.
Israel claims to have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah after he was targeted in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. Credit: AP
Several explosions ripped through Beirut in two successive airstrikes. Credit: AP
Civilians left searching the rubble hours after the blitz. Credit: AFP
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced today that Friday's fighter jet blitz successfully eliminated the terror group's Secretary-General.
They said: "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world."
Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani added: "Hassan Nasrallah is dead."
Nasrallah's death would mark a pivotal night for Israel after a 32-year reign as boss - and would be the biggest hit on their kill list so far.
Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollahs Southern Front, is also believed to be among those killed alongside Nasrallah.
Israel also claims to have wiped out several other Hezbollah officials including Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah's missile unit in southern Lebanon, in the blasts.
His deputy and "other senior officials" were also taken out.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is believed to have personally signed off the attack after spies discovered Nasrallah was set to convene a meeting of his surviving leaders at his underground HQ.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halev said "a lot of preparation" was behind the attack.
He said: "It was the right time, [we] did it in a very precise way."
Before warning Israel was set to continue with their targeted assaults across the border.
"This is not the end of our toolbox, we have to be very clear. We have more capacity going forward," Halev added.
Some reports claim the terror boss is still alive, with sources saying he was hidden inside a 50ft underground bunker at the time of the strike.
He has been in hiding for years amid increasing tensions with Israel with him only being seen in public on the rare occasion.
No official statement has been released by Hezbollah about the bearded firebrand leader yet - leading many to speculate on his health.
A source close to the para-militant group did say that contact with the chief has been "lost" since Friday.
Nasrallah's closest allies over in Iran are also yet to comment as fears continue to increase over their reaction as the region teeters on the edge of chaos.
Despite this sources close to Israel say his death could halt the conflict from erupting across the Middle East.
Nasrallah is often tasked with addressing his terrorist fighters after serious Israeli attacks on TV.
His last national appearance followed the deadly pager and walkie-talkie blasts earlier this month.
He led Iran-backed Hezbollah during the last war with Israel in 2006 and has been a thorn in his enemies side ever since.
He oversaw a massive Iran-backed programme of rebuilding the group’s military machine to become the most heavily armed terror group on Earth.
Just days ago he pledged to carry on fighting Israel armed with a terrifying arsenal of 150,000 missiles and drones.
Israel has wiped out a number of top Hezbollah commanders in airstrikes as they look to destroy the para-militant group.
Over the past 11 months, Israel has eliminated nearly all of the terror group's top brass.
Leading many to believe replacing Nasrallah will be a tricky task with a natural predecessor yet to be lined up.
Giant clouds of smoke and flames seen rising from Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh last night. Credit: Reuters
An apartment block was left up in smoke on Friday. Credit: AFP
A mushroom cloud lit up the night sky on Friday. Credit: AP
Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy research director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut labelled Nasrallah as a "legendary figure" for many in Lebanon.
He told Reuters how his death would be a huge issue for Hezbollah: "The whole landscape would change big time.
"He has been the glue that has held together an expanding organisation."
IDF military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Friday that a "precise strike" hit Hezbollah's "central headquarters" located underneath residential buildings in Dahiyeh.
Huge 4,000lb laser and GPS-guided GBU-28 and 2,000lb Blu-109 bunker buster bombs are believed to have been deployed - burrowing up to 200ft below ground before exploding.
Images of the Lebanese suburb shows a series of huge blasts with large mushroom clouds erupting into the sky last night.
A source close to Hezbollah said the wave of strikes took out six buildings - including apartment blocks.
Thousands were forced to flee their homes as the rockets closed in.
Six people were killed along with another 91 wounded, according to preliminary data from Lebanon's health ministry.
A second round of Israeli strikes hit the same area of Beirut later in the night.
Pictures show smoking buildings early this morning following the successive blitzes.
Hezbollah has already retaliated after they fired rockets on the Israeli city of Safed - but there are no reports of casualties.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is set to hold an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council to respond to the Israeli attacks.
Narallah's backers in Iran's embassy in Beirut said the latest massive strike on the Lebanese capital was a "dangerous, game-changing escalation".
The embassy added the strike was a “war crime" which merits "appropriate punishment".
Lebanese civilians and rescue workers look on as plumes of black smoke erupt from a residential block. Credit: REX
Families were forced out of their homes after being displaced by the airstrikes. Credit: AP
The strike comes after days of Israeli bombardment inside Lebanon as it seems poised to invade the country.
Last Friday was one of the most successful days of Israel's ploy to take out the terror group with them hitting two kingpins and 14 commanders in strikes.
Destruction of Hezbollah's HQ also came just a day after a ceasefire plan appeared to fall through.
Western nations called for a 21-day pause in the fighting to end the 11-month conflict between Israel and the terror group to its north.
A statement said: "The situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8th, 2023 is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.
"This is in nobody's interest, neither of the people of Israel nor of the people of Lebanon.
"It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety.
"Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict."
The ceasefire plan also called for a end to fighting between Israel and Hamas.
But Israel on Thursday rejected the ceasefire plan saying they will fight the paramilitary group "until victory".
It comes as Israel continues to gear up for a huge ground offensive across the border and into Lebanon.
The IDF have been making plans to activate two brigades consisting of up to 10,000 soldiers for "operational missions".
This morning they announced three more battalions of reserve soldiers are also being readied up.
Tanks and military trucks were also seen being transported towards the border as an escalation drew closer.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi already announced how his troops were planning to step up their attacks on Wednesday.
He said the barrage of airstrikes in recent days had been a tactical ploy to help the soldiers once they crossed into Lebanon.
Halevi said: "You can hear the planes above, we are attacking all day.
"This is both to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah."
READ MORE:
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