Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Missile Strike, Celebrations in Tel Aviv

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday that Hassan Nasrallah, leader and founding member of the Hezbollah militant group, was killed in a missile strike in Beirut, alongside Ali Karki, Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and other senior Hezbollah officials.

The IDF stated that "Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world," as the announcement was met with celebrations in Tel Aviv.

The strike targeted Hezbollah's command center in Beirut's southern suburbs, and it marked one of the most intense Israeli attacks on the region in nearly a year of conflict with Hezbollah. In an unprecedented escalation, Israeli warplanes conducted five hours of continuous air raids early on Saturday, following a powerful strike the previous day that killed Nasrallah. The Israeli operation represents a major intensification of the ongoing conflict, which has included frequent missile and rocket exchanges between the two sides.

Following the attacks, Hezbollah fired missiles at Israeli sites in the northern town of Rosh Pina, describing the strikes as retaliation for the attacks on Lebanese cities, villages, and civilians.

The Israeli army's Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, indicated that Israel's actions would not end with the killing of Nasrallah. "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," Halevi said.

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani noted that the country remains on high alert for a broader conflict following the elimination of Nasrallah, but expressed hope that Hezbollah might reconsider its actions in light of its leader's death. He added that the military's efforts to degrade Hezbollah's capabilities were still ongoing.

In response to the developments in Beirut, Iran has reportedly increased security measures. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a secure location as a precautionary measure. Iranian officials stated that they were in constant contact with Hezbollah and other regional allies to determine their next steps following Nasrallah's killing.

Lebanon's transport ministry ordered an Iranian aircraft to divert from Lebanese airspace after Israel warned air traffic control at Beirut airport that it would use force if the plane attempted to land. The reasons behind this directive remain unclear, but a source at the ministry stated, "The priority is people's lives."

Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah

Nasrallah became Hezbollah’s leader in 1992 after the assassination of former leader Abbas al-Musawi and transformed Hezbollah into a key regional actor with significant military and political influence. Under his leadership, Hezbollah opposed Israel and aligned closely with Iran, which provided vital support. He oversaw the group’s resistance against the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, culminating in Israel's withdrawal in 2000, and played a prominent role during the 2006 Lebanon War. Nasrallah was known for his strategic use of rhetoric, delivering speeches primarily via video to avoid assassination. He also involved Hezbollah in regional conflicts, notably the Syrian civil war, supporting the Assad regime.