Connect with us

International

Israel kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut airstrike

Israel’s military confirmed the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah following an airstrike in Beirut. The Friday strike targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters, killing Nasrallah and other senior commanders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the assassination was necessary to counter Hezbollah’s ongoing threats, while the U.S. confirmed the operation.

Published

4 days ago

on

Israel’s military announced on 28 September 2024 that it successfully killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, in a targeted airstrike in Beirut.

The strike, carried out on Friday, hit Hezbollah’s central headquarters, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated was embedded beneath a residential building in the southern suburbs of the city, a stronghold for the group.

Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death, declaring in a statement that its longtime leader had “joined his fellow martyrs.”

Two U.S. officials also corroborated the event to CBS News, adding that the strike also killed other senior Hezbollah commanders, including Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front.

The airstrike comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as the militant group has intensified its rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first public statement following the assassination, said that Israel had “no choice but to target Nasrallah,” asserting that his elimination was crucial to achieving Israel’s military objectives. Netanyahu emphasized that Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks and threats left Israel with no alternative.

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, highlighted that Nasrallah’s death sent a clear message: “Anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel — we will know how to reach them.”

According to Israeli officials, the strike was made possible by real-time intelligence that identified an operational opportunity to target Hezbollah’s senior chain of command.

This airstrike is part of a larger Israeli campaign aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities, which have been increasingly active since Hamas began its war against Israel in October 2023.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have displaced over 200,000 Lebanese civilians, while tens of thousands of Israelis have been forced to leave their homes near the northern border. The United Nations has been monitoring the conflict closely, given the growing humanitarian toll on both sides.

The death of Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, represents a significant leadership gap for the group. Known for his fiery rhetoric and threats against Israel and the U.S., Nasrallah often remained hidden, delivering speeches only via video link to avoid assassination.

His death leaves uncertainty over who will assume leadership of Hezbollah, a group widely recognized as the strongest paramilitary force in the Middle East.

In response to the assassination, Hezbollah issued a statement pledging to “continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine.”

The militant organization, which maintains close ties with Iran, also received strong support from Tehran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public remarks since Nasrallah’s death, called on all Muslims to stand by Hezbollah. He vowed that Iran would back the group, although no specifics were provided regarding potential military responses.

Further complicating the situation, a senior Iranian general, Abbas Nilforoushan, was also reportedly killed in the same airstrike.

General Nilforoushan, a high-ranking member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps and a close ally of Qassem Soleimani, had been involved in Hezbollah’s operations, according to Iranian state media. His death adds another dimension to the growing regional conflict.

Lebanese health officials reported that the airstrike also resulted in the deaths of at least 11 civilians, with 108 others wounded.

The explosions levelled several high-rise residential buildings, marking some of the heaviest bombings Beirut has seen since Hezbollah began its assaults on Israel in 2023. Local authorities fear the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue to dig through the rubble.

International reaction to the airstrike has been mixed. The United States confirmed its support for Israel’s right to self-defense, with President Biden calling Nasrallah’s death “a measure of justice for his many victims.”

The White House confirmed it had no advance knowledge of the attack but assured the public that U.S. forces in the region had been placed on high alert.

Biden also emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation in both Lebanon and Gaza, expressing hope for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

However, Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about the prospect of a truce, especially in light of the recent escalation. Netanyahu, in his address to the United Nations shortly before Nasrallah’s death, reaffirmed that Israel would continue its military operations until its objectives were met.

With Hezbollah vowing retaliation and Israeli forces on high alert, the situation remains volatile. Israel has already deployed additional battalions to the northern border, with discussions of a possible ground incursion into Lebanon to push Hezbollah forces further from Israeli territory.

As the conflict intensifies, the international community is closely monitoring developments in both Lebanon and Gaza, with fears of a broader regional war growing.

The death of Nasrallah, a key figure in the Lebanese militant landscape, may significantly shift the dynamics in the ongoing conflict, but its full implications remain to be seen.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
22 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
22 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

International

Iran fires 180 missiles at Israel in response to escalating tensions

Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday (1 Oct), claiming it was retaliation for Israeli airstrikes and assassinations of key figures in Gaza, Lebanon, and Tehran. Most missiles were intercepted, but Israel vowed retaliation. The United States condemned the attack as a “significant escalation,” heightening concerns of a broader conflict.

Published

1 day ago

on

2 October 2024

By

Iran launched a large-scale missile attack against Israel on Tuesday (1 Oct), escalating tensions in the already volatile region.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), around 180 projectiles were fired at Israel, prompting a coordinated missile defence effort with the United States.

Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed that the nation’s air defences successfully intercepted the majority of the Iranian missiles.

However, some projectiles reached central and southern Israel, causing minor injuries to two civilians.

In the West Bank, Palestinian officials reported the death of a Palestinian man near Jericho after being struck by a missile, though it remains unclear which side was responsible for that particular strike.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the strike, stating that it targeted “vital military and security installations.”

Iran claimed that Tuesday’s missile strikes were in retaliation for the recent deaths of key figures from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranian military.

It specifically referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforushan, both of whom were killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut.

The operation also cited the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July.

In response to the missile strikes, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had made a “big mistake” and would face severe consequences for the attack.

“Iran made a big mistake tonight—and it will pay for it,” Netanyahu said.

“The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and retaliate against our enemies.”

His remarks strongly signaled that Israeli retaliation was imminent, increasing concerns about a potential spiral into a broader regional war.

Iran defended its actions, with President Masoud Pezeshkian posting on social media that the missile strikes were a defensive response to Israeli provocations.

“Let Netanyahu know that Iran is not a belligerent, but it stands firmly against any threat. This is only a corner of our power,” Pezeshkian stated, warning Israel not to enter into further conflict with Iran.

On the international front, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan characterized Iran’s attack as a significant escalation, but noted that it had been effectively neutralized by Israel’s missile defense systems.

“At this point this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” Sullivan remarked, though he acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.

US President Joe Biden reiterated the United States’ support for Israel, but stressed that his administration was in close consultation with Israeli officials to determine an appropriate response.

“We’re going to get all the data straight,” Biden said.

“We’re in constant contact with the Israeli government and our counterparts, and that remains to be seen.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a statement on Wednesday (2 Oct) defending its missile operation as a “legal, rational, and legitimate response” to Israel’s actions.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the mission warned that any retaliatory actions by Israel would trigger a more severe Iranian response.

“Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue,” the mission stated.

The message also advised other regional actors and supporters of Israel to distance themselves from the Israeli government.

Military bases in Tel Aviv, targeted in the strike, have sustained structural damage, according to the IRGC. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

Videos on X (formerly Twitter) show missiles intercepted and hitting ground targets, contrary to Israel’s claim of no damage done.

International reactions have also begun to emerge. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the continued escalation, calling for an immediate ceasefire. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Guterres stated, “This broadening of the Middle East conflict must stop.”

Continue Reading

International

World leaders urge Israel to halt Lebanon offensive amid escalating conflict

On 1 October 2024, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon, killing at least 95 people and injuring 172. The attacks, aimed at Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, have sparked international concern. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, are calling for a ceasefire, warning that further escalation could lead to a regional catastrophe.

Published

2 days ago

on

1 October 2024

By

Israel launched a series of airstrikes and artillery bombardments on southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 people and injuries to 172 others.

The attacks, which began early on Tuesday (1 Oct), are part of Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group that operates in Lebanon.

The strikes were aimed at Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the region and marked a significant escalation in the hostilities between Israel and the group.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military operation is “limited, localized, and targeted.”

The goal of the operation, according to IDF statements, is to protect Israeli citizens, particularly those residing in northern Israel, and to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes.

This development comes amid a growing concern in the international community over the potential for a broader regional conflict, with multiple world leaders calling for a ceasefire and urging Israel to refrain from launching a ground invasion into Lebanon.

US President Joe Biden called on Israel to avoid a ground campaign in southern Lebanon during a press event at the White House on Monday (30 Sept).

Biden, while stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire, did not elaborate on any specific US actions or plans to halt the conflict.

In response to a reporter’s question, Biden expressed his awareness of the situation, stating, “I am more aware than you might know, and I am comfortable with them stopping.”

Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, also expressed deep concern over the violence, particularly the loss of civilian lives.

Lahbib emphasized the importance of respecting international law, suggesting that the current crises in both Gaza and Lebanon are intertwined.

She warned that a failure to address these issues could lead to a dangerous regional escalation.

The UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, David Lammy, added his voice to the growing international calls for a ceasefire.

Following discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lammy reiterated the need for a political solution to the crisis.

He stressed the importance of implementing a plan that would allow displaced Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell underscored the need to avoid further military intervention in Lebanon, cautioning that any such actions could dramatically worsen the situation.

“Any further military intervention would dramatically aggravate the situation, and it has to be avoided.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent any regional escalation.

Modi highlighted the importance of ensuring the safe release of hostages and expressed India’s commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace and stability.

UN experts warn of regional catastrophe amid escalating Israel-Lebanon conflict

UN experts warned on Monday (30 Sept) that the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon could lead to a regional humanitarian and geopolitical catastrophe.

The experts expressed deep concern over the intensifying violence, with Hezbollah launching missiles indiscriminately and Israel responding with large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon.

This surge in violence is exacerbating instability and civilian suffering, particularly in Lebanon and Palestine.

The experts condemned Israel’s use of destructive force in Lebanon, similar to its actions in Gaza.

They criticised Israel for justifying attacks on civilians by claiming Hezbollah fighters hide among them, using civilians as human shields.

The experts argued that the airstrikes in densely populated areas, where residential buildings are being destroyed with little warning, violate international humanitarian law and could amount to domicide, or the mass destruction of homes.

They also highlighted the ongoing violence against Palestinians, calling it a genocidal campaign.

Referring to a recent explosion of booby-trapped electronic devices in Lebanon that caused widespread casualties, the experts condemned those who praised such tactics, calling them criminal.

The experts further warned that double standards in condemning terror while granting impunity threaten the global democratic order.

They stressed the need to address fundamental issues fueling the violence, including the illegal occupation of Palestine, arms supplies to non-state actors, and extrajudicial killings.

The experts called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the UN Security Council to take swift action.

They emphasised the need to protect civilians, investigate crimes, and strengthen the UN’s presence in the region to prevent further escalation.

Continue Reading

Trending