In a bold move that reshapes the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Israel has confirmed the assassination of Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, following a Friday airstrike on his Beirut headquarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement on Saturday, emphasized that this decisive action against Hezbollah’s top leadership sends a stern warning to Iran, asserting that Israel’s military reach extends throughout the region.
This marks Netanyahu’s first public statement since the attack, which has been part of a broader Israeli campaign targeting Hezbollah strongholds. Fighter jets continue to strike Hezbollah sites, implementing a blockade to prevent Iranian arms shipments into Lebanon. The Israeli government has hinted at expanding its military operations, following nearly a week of escalating conflict.
Despite the heavy blows delivered by Israeli airstrikes to its leadership and weapons caches, Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets into Israel, including one aimed at Jerusalem, signaling its intention to continue its offensive.
The elimination of Nasrallah, a significant figure in Iran’s proxy network, has left many wondering whether this will trigger a larger conflict in the region. Netanyahu described Nasrallah as a critical player in Hezbollah’s ability to wage war and said that his death is crucial to securing northern Israel, where residents have been displaced due to near-constant rocket fire.
“Nasrallah wasn’t just another terrorist; he was the terrorist. Eliminating him was essential to achieving our goals,” Netanyahu declared, adding that as long as Nasrallah was alive, Hezbollah would have quickly rebuilt its capabilities.
The airstrike, which saw Israeli jets armed with U.S.-made bunker-busting bombs, marked the culmination of months of intelligence tracking Nasrallah’s movements. Netanyahu revealed that the decision to approve the strike came on Friday, seizing a rare opportunity to target the Hezbollah chief.
Since the start of Israel’s latest offensive, the Israeli Air Force has dropped over 3,500 munitions on Hezbollah targets, decimating their arsenal of rockets, missiles, and drones. Israeli strikes have specifically targeted areas in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and Beirut, with a focus on weapons manufacturing sites and storage facilities. Israel’s military has also ramped up its efforts to cut off weapons supply routes from Iran through Syria, with airstrikes near the Syrian border town of Albukamal.
In retaliation, Hezbollah continues to launch rockets, including its first known strike aimed at Jerusalem. Long-range missile attacks have also targeted Tel Aviv, though most of the strikes have concentrated on northern Israel.
The conflict’s intensity has prompted the mobilization of additional Israeli reservists, with reports suggesting that Israel may plan a limited ground invasion of Lebanon. Netanyahu and top Israeli military officials have signaled that more targeted strikes are forthcoming, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant labeling Nasrallah’s assassination “the most important strike since Israel’s founding.”
As tensions escalate, U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed support for Israel’s actions, calling Nasrallah’s death a “measure of justice” for victims of Hezbollah’s terror. However, Biden also renewed calls for a ceasefire in the region, stressing the need to de-escalate hostilities.
The ongoing conflict has claimed numerous lives, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting at least 33 deaths and nearly 200 injuries following the Israeli strikes. In response to the violence, Israel has urged civilians in Hezbollah-controlled areas to evacuate.
While the military campaign against Hezbollah shows no signs of abating, Netanyahu has expressed optimism that eliminating Nasrallah may bring about a resolution with Hamas, as the group finds itself increasingly isolated following Hezbollah’s heavy losses.