The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, was killed in a strike on the group's headquarters in Lebanon.
"This is not the end of our toolbox. The message is simple, anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel - We will know how to reach them," stated the IDF's Chief of the General Staff, Ltf. Herzi Halevi, following the elimination of Nasrallah.
The IDF targeted Hezbollah's Iran-backed headquarters in southern Beirut. Initially, a Hezbollah media relations official claimed Nasrallah was "fine and well," but his death was confirmed by the Israelis the following morning. Hezbollah later confirmed the death of its leader.
In a statement supplied to Reuters, Hezbollah said,
"It will continue its battle against Israel in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people."
At least two others were killed, and dozens were wounded, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The IDF announced that Hassan Nasrallah, Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and additional Hezbollah commanders were eliminated in the operation.
The IDF disclosed that precise intelligence led to the strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah organization, which was located underground in Beirut. The IDF stated that Nasrallah was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as for planning and executing thousands of terrorist activities worldwide.
The United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, clarified that the United States was not involved in Israel’s operation and did not receive any advance warning from the Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short his trip to New York following his speech to the United Nations General Assembly. He warned Hezbollah about Israel’s right to go on the offensive. Following his speech, a picture was released showing the Israeli leader approving the operation against the terror chief in his New York hotel.
"As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely and that's exactly what we're doing," Netanyahu stated.
The IDF is continuing to strike terrorist infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah. They report that over 140 Hezbollah terror targets have been struck since the operation began, including launchers aimed at Israeli civilians, weapons storage buildings, strategic weaponry, weapons production facilities, and other terrorist infrastructure sites.
"The IDF is continuing to operate to degrade and dismantle Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure and capabilities," the IDF added.
Rich Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, suggested that Nasrallah’s death would be a significant victory for Israel due to his close ties to Tehran.
"People don't appreciate that Nasrallah took over for Soleimani as senior strategist for Khamenei," Goldberg explained. "Nasrallah had operational control of Lebanon and Syria: This is not just a strategic game-changer for Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria, it's a strategic game-changer for Tehran."
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