Hezbollah reported that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed by Israeli airstrikes on its central Beirut headquarters on Friday.
Why is it important? Nasrallah, the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Lebanon and Iran’s most close ally, was one of the most powerful figures in the Middle East.
- In a statement, Hezbollah declared that it will keep fighting Israel and that the resistance would be strengthened by Nasrallah’s passing.
- The Israel Defense Forces claim that Ali Karaki was also slain. Only a few days prior, Karaki escaped an Israeli assassination.
- According to Iranian and Israeli claims, Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan of Iran was also slain. This is not confirmed by Tehran.
What happened: In an operation codenamed “New Order,” the IDF dropped hundreds of 2000-lb. Hezbollah’s central headquarters was said to be located underground in a bunker beneath a complex of six residential buildings south Beirut.
- The health ministry of Lebanon reported that at least six people died and 91 were injured in the massive attack, which destroyed multiple large apartment blocks. This number is expected to rise.
Zoom out: More than 720 people have been killed in Lebanon as 11 days of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
- Prior to the Israeli strike the White House was pushing for a Israel and Hezbollah ceasefire. President Biden, along with other top officials, denied Israeli claims that they had been notified of the attack.
- IDF Chief-of-Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi said that Nasrallah’s death “is not the last of our tools.” It’s simple: whoever threatens Israeli citizens, we will find them.
The Big Picture: Nasrallah, who was only 32 when he became Hezbollah’s leader in 1992, has transformed his militia over the past three decades into a formidable political and military force.
- In Lebanon, senior political nominations were subject to Nasrallah’s veto power.
- Additionally, Hezbollah has increased its influence in the area by deploying hundreds of members to fight alongside Houthis in Yemen, alongside Shia militias in Iraq, and to defend President Bashar al Assad’s administration in Syria—all while opposing Saudi Arabia.
- Nasrallah provided Hezbollah with sophisticated weaponry, including rockets, drones, and missiles. As a result, the militia surpassed numerous nation-states in strength and equipment.
- Given Nasrallah’s close ties to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, Iran is likely to consider taking revenge. This is particularly true if it is confirmed that an Iranian commander was also murdered.
Next steps: Hashim Safi Al-Din, who heads Hezbollah’s executive council, might be Nasrallah’s successor. It’s unknown if he was in the bunker when Israel hit.
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