• By Imran Zafar
  • Sat, 28 Sep 2024 05:17 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Hezbollah confirmed the death of its chief, Hassan Nasrallah, following a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Beirut on Friday. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Lebanese group acknowledged Israel's claim that Nasrallah was killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), declaring that their leader had "joined his fellow martyrs." Hezbollah vowed to continue their fight, describing it as a ''holy war against the enemy'' in support of Palestine.

Hassan Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, is the highest-profile figure killed by Israel amid escalating hostilities between the two sides. According to the Israeli military, the strike was highly targeted and occurred as Hezbollah leadership convened at their headquarters in the Dahiyeh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Friday's strikes resulted in six deaths and 91 injuries, as six apartment buildings were levelled in the bombardment. Among those killed was Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front, along with other senior Hezbollah commanders, according to Israel’s military reports.

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Hezbollah's Statement On Hassan Nasrallah's Death

Hezbollah's official statement paid tribute to Hassan Nasrallah, referring to him as "His Eminence, the Master of Resistance" and hailing him as a "righteous servant" who has now passed away as a "great martyr." The group emphasised Nasrallah’s pivotal role over the past three decades, during which he led Hezbollah from "victory to victory" in its confrontations with Israel.

Hezbollah extended condolences to various figures, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, their fighters and Hassan Nasrallah's family, while simultaneously congratulating Nasrallah’s ''fellow martyrs'' who were killed alongside him in the Israeli airstrikes. The group reaffirmed its commitment to continue its jihad, particularly in supporting Gaza and Palestine, and defending Lebanon from "Zionist aggression."

The leadership of Hezbollah issued a rallying call to its fighters, urging them to uphold the legacy and struggle their chief Hassan Nasrallah had championed for decades.

Israel's Account Of Beirut Airstrikes

The IDF released video footage from their control room, showing senior commanders overseeing the operation that targeted Hezbollah's leadership. According to Israeli authorities, fighter jets conducted two rounds of airstrikes, causing multiple explosions that created panic in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted an underground headquarters of Hezbollah, which was concealed beneath a residential building in the Daha area. Israel claims the attack was carried out while top Hezbollah leaders were inside, coordinating what Israel referred to as "terrorist activities" against Israeli civilians.

The strikes occurred while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in the US for the United Nations General Assembly. Netanyahu was informed of the operation by military officials and subsequently cut short his visit to return to Israel.

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Hassan Nasrallah's Legacy

Hassan Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for nearly 32 years, was a key figure in the Shia Islamist movement. His name, which translates to "victory through God," became synonymous with Hezbollah’s resistance to Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah grew into one of the most powerful non-state armed groups in the world, with an estimated 1,00,000 fighters. Hassan Nasrallah's influence extended beyond Lebanon, impacting the broader Arab-Israeli conflict and shaping Hezbollah’s role as a key player in regional geopolitics.