2024 Hezbollah headquarters strike
{{Short description|Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox military operation
| name = Hezbollah headquarters strike
| partof = the September 2024 Lebanon strikes
| image = Hezbollah Headquarter Airstrike 2024.jpg
| caption = Smoke rising from the Beirut suburbs after the airstrikes
| type = Airstrike
| location = Haret Hreik, Dahieh, Lebanon
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q130374882|type:event_region:|display=inline,title}}
| map_type = Lebanon
| map_label = Dahieh
| map_caption = Location within Lebanon
| target = Hassan Nasrallah
| executed = 27 September 2024
| executed_by = {{air force|Israel}}
| fatalities = 33+ (including Nasrallah)
| injuries = 195+
}}
{{Campaignbox Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)}}
On 27 September 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.{{Cite web |agency=AFP |title=Hezbollah Confirms Leader Nasrallah's Death |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/hezbollah-confirms-leader-nasrallah-s-death-c942b7a5 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Barron's |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah confirms its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-28-september-2024-c4751957433ff944c4eb06027885a973 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928081831/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-28-september-2024-c4751957433ff944c4eb06027885a973 |url-status=live}} The strike took place while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at a headquarters located {{convert|60|ft|m}} underground beneath residential buildings in Haret Hreik in the Dahieh suburb. Conducted by the Israeli Air Force using F-15I fighters,{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Jake |title=Israel appeared to use US-made 2,000-pound bombs in the strike that killed Hezbollah's chief |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-likely-used-bunker-buster-bombs-strike-kill-hezbollah-chief-2024-9 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} the operation involved dropping more than 80 bombs, destroying the underground headquarters as well as nearby buildings.{{Cite news |date=27 September 2024 |title=Israeli airstrikes rock Beirut, target Hezbollah command |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-continue-ceasefire-discussions-lebanon-netanyahu-says-2024-09-27/ |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=27 September 2024 |title=Israel says it struck Hezbollah's headquarters as huge explosions rocked Beirut |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-suburb-617575d9c5d7c711bc02e7b81d2ba4ad |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927162606/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-airstrikes-suburb-617575d9c5d7c711bc02e7b81d2ba4ad |url-status=live}} The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) codenamed the operation "New Order" ({{Langx|he|סדר חדש|translit=Seder Hadash}}).
On 28 September 2024, the IDF announced Nasrallah's death;{{Cite web |author=IDF Spokesperson's Unit |author-link=IDF Spokesperson's Unit |date=28 September 2024 |title=Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari - September 28, 2024 |url=https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/israel-at-war/briefings-by-idf-spokesperson-rear-admiral-daniel-hagari/september-24-press-briefings/press-conference-by-idf-spokesperson-radm-daniel-hagari-september-28-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928152259/https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/israel-at-war/briefings-by-idf-spokesperson-rear-admiral-daniel-hagari/september-24-press-briefings/press-conference-by-idf-spokesperson-radm-daniel-hagari-september-28-2024/ |archive-date=28 September 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=IDF}}{{Cite news |last=Pasko |first=Simcha |date=28 September 2024 |title=IDF Confirms Death of Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah in Beirut Strike |url=https://themedialine.org/headlines/idf-confirms-death-of-hezbollah-chief-nasrallah-in-beirut-strike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928191416/https://themedialine.org/headlines/idf-confirms-death-of-hezbollah-chief-nasrallah-in-beirut-strike/ |archive-date=28 September 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=The Media Line}} his body was recovered from the rubble the next day.{{Cite news |date=29 September 2024 |title=Nasrallah's body recovered from rubble two days after assassination |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1wspnlra |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}} The attack resulted in at least 33 fatalities and more than 195 injuries, including civilians.{{Cite web |last1=Lau |first1=Chris |last2=Nicholls |first2=Catherine |last3=Tanno |first3=Sophie |last4=Vogt |first4=Adrienne |last5=Powell |first5=Tori B. |last6=Meyer |first6=Matt |last7=Iyer |first7=Kaanita |last8=Raine |first8=Andrew |date=28 September 2024 |title=Israel Says It Targeted Hezbollah Leader in Strikes on Beirut: Live Updates |url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-28-24#cm1mky1f300003b6p41p9y5c5 |publisher=CNN |access-date=28 September 2024 |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928050712/https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-28-24/#cm1mky1f300003b6p41p9y5c5 |url-status=live}} The fatalities included: Ali Karaki, the commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front; other senior Hezbollah commanders; and Abbas Nilforoushan, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the Quds Force in Lebanon.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=IRGC deputy commander killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut – Iranian media |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-822221 |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928134935/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-822221 |url-status=live}}
Earlier in September, some of Hezbollah's most severe setbacks occurred,{{Cite web |last=Byman |first=Daniel |date=24 September 2024 |title=The Beeper Balance Sheet |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/09/19/hezbollah-pager-walkie-talkie-attacks-israel-war/ |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205432/https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/09/19/hezbollah-pager-walkie-talkie-attacks-israel-war/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=20 September 2024 |title=Arab states watch Hezbollah deterrence weakened, Israeli deterrence restored – analysis |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-821063 |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924043320/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-821063 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Cold military logic takes over in Israel-Hezbollah conflict |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y8mlp9jyvo |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923235015/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y8mlp9jyvo |url-status=live}} including the 17 and 18 September explosions of its handheld communication devices and the 20 September assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, commander of the elite Redwan Force.{{Cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=Israeli strikes kill 492 in Lebanon's deadliest day of conflict since 2006 |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-lebanon-hezbollah-e3ca9c83642056f962fdf76319e3b8de |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924060908/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-lebanon-hezbollah-e3ca9c83642056f962fdf76319e3b8de |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-20 |title=Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli airstrike was top military official on US wanted list |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-israel-mideast-tensions-attack-8ec89de2b117b52e2c09b19155e35d13 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=AP News |language=en}} Between 23 September, when Israel began its airstrikes on Lebanon, and 26 September, the day before the headquarters strike, Israeli attacks had killed over 700 people, injured more than 5,000, and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians. On 27 September, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations (UN), saying Israel was dedicated to peace, but would continue to pursue its ongoing campaign against Hezbollah.{{Cite news |date=27 September 2024 |title=In blistering UN speech, Netanyahu says Israel seeks peace but will fight until victory |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-blistering-un-speech-netanyahu-says-israel-seeks-peace-but-will-fight-until-victory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929053334/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-blistering-un-speech-netanyahu-says-israel-seeks-peace-but-will-fight-until-victory/ |archive-date=29 September 2024 |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=Times of Israel}}{{Cite web |title=Israel-Lebanon latest: Explosions in Beirut after Netanyahu vows to keep fighting Hezbollah |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c981g8mrl8lt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926225441/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c981g8mrl8lt |archive-date=26 September 2024 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The headquarters strike occurred after Netanyahu concluded his speech.{{Cite web |last=Kingston |first=Shannon K. |last2=Hutzler |first2=Alexandra |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Netanyahu says Israel must defeat Hezbollah in UN speech amid calls for cease-fire |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/netanyahu-israel-defeat-hezbollah-speech-amid-calls-cease/story?id=114277846 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati condemned this and prior Israeli attacks on Lebanon,{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Lebanese Prime Minister says Israel's attack on southern Beirut proves it 'does not care' about international calls for a cease-fire |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hezbollah-live-updates-health-workers-killed-lebanon-rcna172975/rcrd56998?canonicalCard=true |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Harvey |first1=Lex |last2=Tanno |first2=Sophie |last3=Sangal |first3=Aditi |last4=John |first4=Tara |last5=Powell |first5=Tori B. |date=27 September 2024 |title=Israel carries out deadly strikes on Lebanon's capital |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-27-24#cm1kz60j200063b6mqst6inz2 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} denouncing the ongoing Israeli attacks as "a war of extermination."{{Cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=Lebanon PM denounces Israel's 'destructive plan' amid IDF strikes on Hezbollah |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/lebanon-pm-denounces-israels-destructive-plan-amid-idf-strikes-on-hezbollah/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Times of Israel}} On 27 November, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon went into effect, although some attacks continued.{{Cite web |last1=Coote |first1=Darryl |last2=Godfrey |first2=Paul |date=2024-11-27 |title=Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire: Displaced Lebanese begin to head home as guns, bombs fall silent |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/11/27/lebanon-cease-fire-begins/3361732695775 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=United Press International |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Quillen |first1=Stephen |last2=Jamal |first2=Urooba |date=November 27, 2024 |title='Fragile truce': Relief in Lebanon as Israel, Hezbollah ceasefire starts |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/11/27/live-countdown-to-lebanon-ceasefire-as-israel-reaches-deal-with-hezbollah |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
Background
{{See also|Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)|2024 Lebanon pager explosions|September 2024 Lebanon strikes}}
{{Hezbollah}}
The day after Hamas's 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, Hezbollah fired rockets at the Shebaa Farms, claiming solidarity with the "Palestinian people".{{Cite web |title=Israel, Hezbollah exchange artillery, rocket fire |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-strikes-lebanon-after-hezbollah-hits-shebaa-farms-2023-10-08/}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-08 |title=Hezbollah bombards Israeli positions in disputed area along border with Syria's Golan Heights |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-chebaa-farms-gaza-rocket-attack-cd7b26f890bf4cae32491721506ec0a1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003022755/https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-chebaa-farms-gaza-rocket-attack-cd7b26f890bf4cae32491721506ec0a1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-10-03 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Hezbollah fires on Israel after several members killed in shelling |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/hezbollah-fires-on-israel-after-several-members-killed-in-shelling |work=Al Jazeera |publisher=Al Jazeera English |language=en}} This quickly escalated into regular cross-border military exchanges with Israel, impacting northern Israel, southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights.{{Cite web |date=8 October 2023 |title=Hezbollah bombards Israeli positions in disputed area along border with Syria's Golan Heights |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-chebaa-farms-gaza-rocket-attack-cd7b26f890bf4cae32491721506ec0a1 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}} Hezbollah condemned the killing of civilians in Gaza,{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Iran-backed groups threaten to expand Gaza war as they step up attacks on Israel and U.S. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hezbollah-iran-attacks-israel-gaza-war-death-toll-rcna123959 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-11-08 |title=Hezbollah warns of regional war if Gaza bombing goes on |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67349605 |access-date=2024-10-02 |language=en-GB}} and said it aimed to pressure Israel by forcing it to fight on two fronts.{{Cite news |last=Stroul |first=Dana |date=2024-09-23 |title=Israel and Hezbollah Are Escalating Toward Catastrophe |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/israel-and-hezbollah-are-escalating-toward-catastrophe |access-date=2024-10-01 |work=Foreign Affairs |language=en-US |issn=0015-7120}} Hezbollah offered an immediate ceasefire should a ceasefire also happen in Gaza.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-08 |title=Hezbollah warns of regional war if Gaza bombing goes on |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-67349605 |access-date=2024-10-01 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Violence escalates between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah amid Gaza assault |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/10/violence-escalates-between-israel-and-lebanons-hezbollah-amid-gaza-assault |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} From 8 October 2023 to 20 September 2024, Hezbollah launched 1,900 cross border attacks, and Israel launched 8,300.{{Cite web |title=Mapping 10,000 cross-border attacks between Israel and Lebanon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/25/mapping-10000-cross-border-attacks-between-israel-and-lebanon |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The fighting killed 52 in Israel (including 27 civilians), 564 in Lebanon (including 133 civilians),{{Cite web |date=27 August 2024 |title=Lebanon: Flash Update #25 – Escalation of hostilities in South Lebanon, as of 23 August 2024 – Lebanon |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-flash-update-25-escalation-hostilities-south-lebanon-23-august-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923020751/https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-flash-update-25-escalation-hostilities-south-lebanon-23-august-2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024 |website=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |language=en}} and displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon, with significant damage to civilian infrastructure.{{Cite web |title=Israel-Hezbollah: Mapping the scale of damage of cross-border attacks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2gj544x65o |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}
In July, another senior Hezbollah military leader, Fuad Shukr, was also assassinated in Beirut.[https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/07/30/loud-blast-heard-in-beirut-witness "Israeli strike targets senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon's capital Beirut"]. 30 July 2024. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240730222814/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/07/30/loud-blast-heard-in-beirut-witness Archived] from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024. On 10 September, the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was shifting its focus from Gaza to the northern border.{{cite news |title=Israel close to completing Gaza missions, focus on north, defence minister says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-close-completing-gaza-missions-focus-north-defence-minister-says-2024-09-10/ |publisher=Reuters |date=September 10, 2024}}
On 17 and 18 September, thousands of handheld pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in a coordinated series of attacks.{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Lauren |date=17 September 2024 |title=Israel behind deadly pager explosions that targeted Hezbollah and injured thousands in Lebanon |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919060924/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/17/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-pagers-explosions-intl/index.html |archive-date=19 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} The explosions killed 42 people and injured at least 3,500, including many civilians.{{Cite news |last=Christou |first=William |date=20 September 2024 |title='We are isolated, tired, scared': pager attack leaves Lebanon in shock |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/20/we-are-isolated-tired-scared-pager-attack-leaves-lebanon-in-shock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923020749/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/20/we-are-isolated-tired-scared-pager-attack-leaves-lebanon-in-shock |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite news |author=Hijazi, S. |date=20 September 2024 |title=Nasrallah: We suffered a 'hard blow'... but Israel failed |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1427756/nasrallah-we-suffered-a-hard-blow-but-israel-failed.html |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=L'Orient-Le Jour |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=David |last2=El-Bawab |first2=Nadine |date=18 September 2024 |title=20 more dead, 450 injured as new round of explosions rocks Lebanon: Health officials |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/hezbollah-vows-reckoning-after-thousands-lebanon-injured-exploding/story?id=113798347 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920011014/https://abcnews.go.com/International/hezbollah-vows-reckoning-after-thousands-lebanon-injured-exploding/story?id=113798347 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=ABC News}} An unnamed Hezbollah official told Reuters 1,500 Hezbollah fighters were taken out of action by injuries.{{Cite news |last1=Bassam |first1=Lailla |last2=Mackenzie |first2=James |date=25 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah's tunnels and flexible command weather Israel's deadly blows |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollahs-tunnels-flexible-command-weather-israels-deadly-blows-2024-09-25/ |work=Reuters}} Despite Israel initially denying involvement with the attack,{{cite news |date=22 September 2024 |title=Israel-Lebanon latest: Israel had 'no connection' with deadly exploding pager attack, president claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-pager-attack-haifa-latest-b2616933.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922114422/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-pager-attack-haifa-latest-b2616933.html |archive-date=22 September 2024 |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=The Independent}} it was orchestrated by Israel's intelligence service (Mossad) and military.{{Cite news |last=Skopeliti |first=Clea |date=18 September 2024 |title=First Thing: Israel planted explosives in thousands of Hezbollah pagers – reports |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/18/first-thing-israel-planted-explosives-thousands-hezbollah-pagers-reports |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |quote=Israel placed explosives inside thousands of pagers imported by Hezbollah months before Tuesday's extraordinary attacks, according to sources cited by Reuters and US media.}}{{cite news |last1=Frenkel |first1=Sheera |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |last3=Saad |first3=Hwaida |author3-link=Hwaida Saad |date=18 September 2024 |title=How Israel Built a Modern-Day Trojan Horse: Exploding Pagers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920004904/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/world/middleeast/israel-exploding-pagers-hezbollah.html |archive-date=20 September 2024 |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote=Even before Mr. Nasrallah decided to expand pager usage, Israel had put into motion a plan to establish a shell company that would pose as an international pager producer. By all appearances, B.A.C. Consulting was a Hungary-based company that was under contract to produce the devices on behalf of a Taiwanese company, Gold Apollo. In fact, it was part of an Israeli front, according to three intelligence officers briefed on the operation. They said at least two other shell companies were created as well to mask the real identities of the people creating the pagers: Israeli intelligence officers.}}
In response, Hezbollah, who described the attack as a possible declaration of war by Israel, launched a rocket attack on northern Israel a few days later.{{Cite news |date=17 September 2024 |title=Dozens of Hezbollah members wounded in Lebanon when pagers exploded, sources and witnesses say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dozens-hezbollah-members-wounded-lebanon-when-pagers-exploded-sources-witnesses-2024-09-17/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918155339/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dozens-hezbollah-members-wounded-lebanon-when-pagers-exploded-sources-witnesses-2024-09-17/ |archive-date=18 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=19 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah: Israel Crossed All Red Lines, This Is a Declaration of War |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-09-19/ty-article-live/netanyahu-slams-misguided-starmer-accuses-u-k-of-sending-mixed-messages/00000192-07f9-d543-ab9f-2ffbf5790000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921054948/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-09-19/ty-article-live/netanyahu-slams-misguided-starmer-accuses-u-k-of-sending-mixed-messages/00000192-07f9-d543-ab9f-2ffbf5790000 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Haaretz}} On 20 September 2024, tensions further rose after Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut, along with other senior commanders from the unit.{{Cite news |last1=Westfall |first1=Sammy |last2=George |first2=Susannah |date=20 September 2024 |title=Who was Ibrahim Aqil, the Hezbollah leader killed in Israeli strike? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/20/ibrahim-aqil-hezbollah-commander/ |access-date=24 September 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920204308/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/20/ibrahim-aqil-hezbollah-commander/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Jalabi |first1=Raya |last2=Shotter |first2=James |date=21 September 2024 |title=Israel kills elite Hizbollah commanders in Beirut strike |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ac505579-0bb7-469f-a9d7-2da42c6d3090 |work=Financial Times |access-date=24 September 2024 |archive-date=21 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921163330/https://www.ft.com/content/ac505579-0bb7-469f-a9d7-2da42c6d3090 |url-status=live}} After advising Lebanese citizens to evacuate, Israel began airstrikes on 23 September.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/23/world/gaza-israel-hamas-hezbollah |title=Israel and Hezbollah Trade Heavy Fire; Over 180 Killed in Lebanon, Officials Say |date=23 September 2024 |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Boxerman |first2=Aaron |author-link1=Patrick Kingsley (journalist) |work=The New York Times |access-date=23 September 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923060242/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/23/world/gaza-israel-hamas-hezbollah |url-status=live}}
Since 23 September 2024, when Israel began its airstrikes on Lebanon, Israeli attacks have killed over 700 people,{{Cite web |last1=Rowlands |first1=Lyndal |last2=McCready |first2=Alastair |last3=Quillen |first3=Stephen |last4=Mohamed |first4=Edna |last5=Siddiqui |first5=Usaid |last6=Najjar |first6=Farah |date=26 Sep 2024 |title=Israel attacks Lebanon updates: Unequivocal US support for Israel's wars |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/26/israel-attacks-lebanon-live-72-killed-in-latest-wave-of-israeli-attacks |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} injured more than 5,000,{{Cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=Death toll nears 500 in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, health ministry says |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240923-%F0%9F%94%B4-israeli-military-launches-fresh-strikes-on-hezbollah-in-lebanon-urges-civilians-to-evacuate |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923062041/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240923-%F0%9F%94%B4-israeli-military-launches-fresh-strikes-on-hezbollah-in-lebanon-urges-civilians-to-evacuate |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=23 September 2024 |title=Israel-Hezbollah latest: Israel launches fresh strikes on Lebanon; next potential Hezbollah leader said to have survived |url=https://news.sky.com/story/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-gaza-war-latest-sky-news-live-blog-12978800?postid=8320545#liveblog-body |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923203321/https://news.sky.com/story/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-gaza-war-latest-sky-news-live-blog-12978800?postid=8320545#liveblog-body |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Sky News |language=en}} and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.{{Cite web |date=25 September 2024 |title='We're already at war', Lebanese minister says - as he warns of 'catastrophic' number of casualties from Israeli airstrikes |url=https://news.sky.com/story/were-already-at-war-lebanese-minister-says-as-he-warns-of-catastrophic-number-of-casualties-from-israeli-airstrikes-13221832 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926120004/https://news.sky.com/story/were-already-at-war-lebanese-minister-says-as-he-warns-of-catastrophic-number-of-casualties-from-israeli-airstrikes-13221832 |archive-date=26 September 2024 |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Sky News |language=en}}
On 25 September, the United States and the European Union released a statement calling for a 21-day ceasefire.{{cite news |title=Netanyahu dismisses Hezbollah cease-fire push, confounding White House |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/09/26/netanyahu-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=28 September 2024 |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927063921/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/09/26/netanyahu-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire/ |url-status=live}} The statement was also signed by Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Qatar.{{cite news |title=Joint Statement by the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Qatar |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/25/joint-statement-by-the-united-states-australia-canada-european-union-france-germany-italy-japan-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates-qatar/ |work=The White House |date=26 September 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928123458/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/25/joint-statement-by-the-united-states-australia-canada-european-union-france-germany-italy-japan-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates-qatar/ |url-status=live}} US officials said that Netanyahu had agreed to this, but the next day Netanyahu denied any involvement in this plan, leaving US officials reportedly "furious".{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/09/27/israel-airstrike-hezbollah-hq-beirut |title=Israel conducts massive strike in Beirut targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah |date=27 September 2024 |access-date=29 September 2024}} Netanyahu later backtracked, saying he shared the aims of the US proposal. According to Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Nasrallah had agreed to the temporary ceasefire days before the assassination.{{Cite web |last=Suri |first=Pauline Lockwood, Manveena |date=2024-10-03 |title=Hezbollah leader agreed to temporary ceasefire days before assassination, says Lebanese FM |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/03/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-nasrallah-ceasefire-assassination-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=CNN |language=en}}
= Hassan Nasrallah =
File:Sayyid_Hassan_Nasrallah_07_(1).jpg
Hassan Nasrallah was a political leader in the Amal Movement, but left after the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon began. He joined Hezbollah shortly after it was formed, and was elected the secretary-general of Hezbollah in 1992.{{Cite news |date=27 September 2024 |title=Who is Hassan Nasrallah? The leader of Hezbollah and his impact on Lebanon and Israel |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-822097 |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927183553/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-822097 |url-status=live}}{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=156-158}} He immediately set out to focus Hezbollah on fighting the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. He led Hezbollah to fight against the 1993 and 1996 Israeli military operations, and after the Qana massacre, his popularity skyrocketed in Lebanon.{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=159}} His time in command transformed Hezbollah into the world's most heavily armed non-state actor,{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Lou |date=24 August 2024 |title=Hezbollah: What weapons does it have? A visual guide |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/24/middleeast/hezbollah-weapons-visuals-intl-dg/ |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=CNN |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923234924/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/24/middleeast/hezbollah-weapons-visuals-intl-dg |url-status=live}} with its paramilitary wing surpassing the Lebanese Army in strength.{{cite news |last=Barnard |first=Anne |date=20 May 2013 |title=Hezbollah's Role in Syria War Shakes the Lebanese |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |access-date=20 June 2013 |newspaper=The New York Times |quote=Hezbollah, stronger than the Lebanese Army, has the power to drag the country into war without a government decision, as in 2006, when it set off the war by capturing two Israeli soldiers |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502201713/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Loveday |date=12 June 2013 |title=For Lebanon's Sunnis, growing rage at Hezbollah over role in Syria |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/for-lebanons-sunnis-growing-rage-at-hezbollah/2013/06/12/9696297c-d299-11e2-8cbe-1bcbee06f8f8_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105065531/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-06-12/world/39922185_1_aleppo-war-soccer-stadium |archive-date=5 November 2013 |access-date=20 June 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url-status=live |quote=... Hezbollah, which has a fighting force generally considered more powerful than the Lebanese army.}} His speeches frequently included anti-Israeli and anti-Western sentiments.{{Cite news |title=Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hizbullah |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/28/hassan-nasrallah-leader-of-hizbullah |access-date=28 September 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928144702/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/28/hassan-nasrallah-leader-of-hizbullah |url-status=live}} Nasrallah also closely aligned with Iran, and influenced Hezbollah in other significant ways throughout his tenure.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2024 |title=Did Israel succeed in eliminating its number one enemy? – analysis |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-822100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927165832/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-822100 |archive-date=27 September 2024 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}
In the 1990s, Nasrallah was popular among Lebanese Shi'ites—and to a certain extent in the Arab and Muslim worlds{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=165}}—but he was much disliked by the Israeli and American governments.{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=169}} However, Hezbollah's role in ambushing an Israeli border patrol unit leading up to the 2006 Lebanon War was subject to local and regional criticism.{{Cite book |last=Norton |first=Augustus R. |title=Hezbollah: a short history |date=2018 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-18088-5 |edition=3rd |series=Princeton studies in Muslim politics |location=Princeton Oxford |page=69}} During the Syrian civil war, Hezbollah fought on the side of Bashar al-Assad. While Hezbollah helped Assad stay in power, Hezbollah's popularity sharply declined given that Assad had become a pariah in the Arab world.{{cite news |date=28 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah transformed the militant group into a potent regional force |url=https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928174038/https://apnews.com/article/obituary-nasrallah-lebanon-israel-2da3789a02fd4e2e88511a7f59174d19 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=AP News |language=en}}
Under his leadership, Hezbollah faced criticism for its alleged involvement in the 2005 assassination of Lebanese PM Rafic Hariri{{Cite book |last1=Khatib |first1=Lina |title=The Hizbullah phenomenon: politics and communication |last2=Matar |first2=Dina |last3=Alshaer |first3=Atef |date=2014 |publisher=Hurst & Company |isbn=978-1-84904-335-9 |location=London |page=79}} and the 2020 Beirut port explosion.{{Cite web |date=30 August 2020 |title=Lebanon's powerhouse Hezbollah hit by backlash after blast |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-b452ff3998d83ba9080b0066517c2df5 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929000359/https://apnews.com/general-news-b452ff3998d83ba9080b0066517c2df5 |url-status=live}} He has also consistently promoted the "Axis of Resistance," a network of Iran-supported militias focused on opposing Israel and the United States. Hezbollah's popularity surged again after the start of the Israel-Hezbollah hostilities in October 2023.
In October 1992, Israel tried to assassinate Nasrallah.{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=169}} In May 2004, Lebanese officials said they foiled an Israeli plot to kill Nasrallah.{{cite news |title=Nasr Allah murder plot: five charged |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2004/6/15/nasr-allah-murder-plot-five-charged |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=28 September 2024 |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927014326/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2004/6/15/nasr-allah-murder-plot-five-charged |url-status=live}}{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=169}} In the 2006 war, Israel dropped many bombs on buildings that may have housed Nasrallah.{{Sfn|Daher|2019|p=169}}
A US official told ABC News that Nasrallah and several associates were in Beirut for a brief visit during the strike.{{Cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |last2=Yehoshua |first2=Yossi |date=27 September 2024 |title='Nasrallah was present at command center,' Israeli officials say |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkeh1ynra#autoplay |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Ynetnews |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927194601/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkeh1ynra#autoplay |url-status=live}} According to The New York Times, Israeli leaders had tracked Hassan Nasrallah's location for months and opted to target him a week before the assassination, believing they had a limited timeframe before he moved elsewhere.{{Cite news |last1=Bergman |first1=Ronen |last2=Kingsley |first2=Patrick |date=28 September 2024 |title=Israel Tracked Nasrallah for Months Before Assassination, Officials Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/middleeast/why-israel-assassinate-nasrallah.html |work=The New York Times}} Iranian officials told Reuters that after the pager attacks, Ayatollah Khamenei sent Abbas Nilforoushan to Nasrallah, warning him that his life was in danger and asking him to flee to Iran; Nasrallah trusted his security and inner circle and refused.{{Cite news|last1=Nakhoul|first1=Samia|last2=Bassam|first2=Laila|date=2 October 2024|title=Exclusive: Iran's Khamenei warned Nasrallah of Israeli plot to kill him, sources say|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-khamenei-warned-nasrallah-israeli-plot-kill-him-sources-say-2024-10-02/|work=Reuters|access-date=23 November 2024}}
Attack
File:IAF - Operation New Order - 05.jpg F-15I loaded with guided bombs as it is taking-off for the airstrike on 27 September 2024]]
{{external media
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| video1 = [https://www.mako.co.il/AjaxPage?jspName=embedHTML5video.jsp&galleryChannelId=47fb3bad6e0e4910VgnVCM100000700a10acRCRD&videoChannelId=31750a2610f26110VgnVCM1000005201000aRCRD&vcmid=47fb3bad6e0e4910VgnVCM100000700a10acRCRD Security camera footage from the site of the attack]}}
In the early evening of 27 September 2024, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted an airstrike on Hezbollah's central headquarters located in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, in the Dahieh suburb of Beirut. Media reports confirmed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the target of the airstrike. Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah leaders were meeting in a bunker more than {{convert|60|ft|m}} underground.{{Cite news |author1=Jared Malsin |author2=Summer Said |author3=Adam Chamseddine |author4=Anat Peled |date=28 September 2024 |title=How Israel Killed Hezbollah's Leader in Underground Bunker |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-killed-hezbollahs-leader-in-underground-bunker-52946d6d |newspaper=Wall Street Journal}} According to Le Parisien, citing a Lebanese security source, an Iranian mole was responsible for informing the IDF of Nasrallah's whereabouts before the strike occurred.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-29 |title=Iranian mole helped Israel kill Hezbollah leader – Le Parisien |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202409295255 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Iran International |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-09-30 |title=How an Iranian spy's intel uncovered Hezbollah leader's location just before Israel's strategic airstrike |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/how-an-iranian-spys-intel-uncovered-hezbollah-leaders-location-just-before-israels-strategic-airstrike/articleshow/113784142.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-29 |title=Iran spy's tip-off helped Israel kill Hezbollah chief Nasrallah: Report |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/israel-hezbollah-war-iran-spy-idf-kill-hassan-nasrallah-location-beirut-airstrike-2608297-2024-09-29 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=India Today |language=en}}
The strike was either conducted by the 119th "Bat" Squadron with F-16I Sufa jet-fighters or by the 69th Squadron with F-15I Ra'ams.{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |title=Senior IAF officials say strike that killed Nasrallah pulled off flawlessly |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/senior-iaf-officials-say-strike-that-killed-nasrallah-pulled-off-flawlessly/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=The Times of Israel |date=28 September 2024}} Two officials said that over 80 bombs were dropped within minutes during the operation, though they did not specify the bombs' weight or type. Another official stated the munition was dropped within 10 seconds and were priced at 25 million Shekels.{{Cite news |last=Lior |first=Gad |date=2024-10-20 |title=NIS 25 million in 10 seconds: The cost of Hassan Nasrallah assassination |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/sjjheofxjl |access-date=2024-10-30 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}
The strike occurred shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly to say that Israel's campaign against Hezbollah would continue. The Prime Minister's Office shared a photo that it says shows Netanyahu approving the airstrike. The image reportedly features Netanyahu in his New York hotel with his military secretary and chief of staff, prior to addressing the UN.{{Cite news |date=27 September 2024 |title=PM's office says Netanyahu approved Beirut airstrike from his hotel room |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/pms-office-says-netanyahu-approved-beirut-airstrike-from-his-hotel-room/ |work=Times of Israel}}
There was no immediate information on casualties in the strike. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated Hezbollah's main headquarters were the target, located beneath residential buildings. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported that four buildings were reduced to rubble as a result of the explosion, which was so powerful that tremors were felt up to {{convert|30|km}} north of Beirut. Ambulances were seen heading to the scene, accompanied by wailing sirens. According to the National News Agency, the raids created a belt of fire that extended from the outskirts of Bourj el-Barajneh to Haret Hreik.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2024 |title=The enemy raid on the suburb was a belt of fire that extended from the outskirts of Burj al-Barajneh camp and reaching Haret Hreik. (In Arabic) |url=https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/justice-law/725074/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%85 |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=National News Agency}} Footage taken shortly after the explosion revealed a large crater.{{Cite web |last1=Harvey |first1=Lex |last2=Tanno |first2=Sophie |last3=Sangal |first3=Aditi |last4=John |first4=Tara |date=27 September 2024 |title=Huge explosions rock Beirut as Netanyahu says Israel has 'every right' to fight Hezbollah |url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-27-24/index.html |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927073242/https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-27-24/index.html |url-status=live}}
Aftermath
= Confirmation of Nasrallah's death =
On 28 September 2024, Nasrallah's death was announced by the IDF. Hezbollah confirmed it later that day,{{Cite news |last1=Lubell |first1=Maayan |last2=Gebeily |first2=Maya |date=28 September 2024 |title=Israel kills Hezbollah leader Nasrallah in airstrike |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-airstrikes-rock-beirut-hezbollah-command-centre-hit-2024-09-28/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=حزب الله ينعى أمينه العام حسن نصر الله |trans-title=Hezbollah mourns its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2024/9/28/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-12-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%B9 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=ar |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928132325/https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2024/9/28/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-12-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%B9 |url-status=live}} ending the uncertainty over his condition.{{Cite news |last=Ben-Yishai |first=Ron |date=27 September 2024 |title=Nasrallah's fate may remain unknown for days after powerful bombings |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r19jlqnca#autoplay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927212556/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r19jlqnca#autoplay |archive-date=27 September 2024 |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}} On 29 September 2024, Nasrallah's body was recovered with no obvious wounds; according to Reuters, two sources suggested he had died from blunt force trauma sustained during the attack.{{Cite web |date=29 September 2024 |title=Body of Hezbollah leader has been recovered, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/body-hezbollah-leader-has-been-recovered-sources-say-2024-09-29/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Reuters}}
= Other casualties =
The area struck by Israel is known to be densely populated. The impacted area consisted of civilian apartment buildings built over subterranean Hezbollah facilities; several structures were completely reduced to rubble and widespread destruction could be seen in the aftermath of the strike.{{cite news |author=Hamdi Alkhshali and Vasco Cotovio |title=Several buildings flattened after Israeli strikes, Lebanese state news agency reports |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-27-24#cm1kxshw700053b6kd2lneuky |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=CNN |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927082445/https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-war-hezbollah-09-27-24/#cm1kxshw700053b6kd2lneuky |url-status=live}} Initial estimates from Israeli defense officials suggest that around 300 people were killed, potentially including Nasrallah's daughter.{{cite news |title=Israel Targets Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah in Massive Beirut Strike; Israeli Officials Estimate 300 Killed |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-09-27/ty-article/.premium/israel-targets-hezbollah-chief-nasrallah-in-massive-beirut-strike/00000192-34e9-d8e1-a196-7def58cf0000 |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=Haaretz |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927213902/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-09-27/ty-article/.premium/israel-targets-hezbollah-chief-nasrallah-in-massive-beirut-strike/00000192-34e9-d8e1-a196-7def58cf0000 |url-status=live}} The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 33 fatalities and 195 injuries as of 28 September, though most of the rubble has not been searched yet, and the number is almost certain to rise as dozens are missing.
Hezbollah also confirmed the death of Ali Karaki, commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front, along with other senior commanders.{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollah-confirms-commander-of-southern-front-ali-karaki-killed-alongside-nasrallah/ |title=Hezbollah confirms commander of Southern Front, Ali Karaki, killed alongside Nasrallah |work=The Times of Israel |first=Emanuel |last=Fabian |date=29 September 2024 |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929114333/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollah-confirms-commander-of-southern-front-ali-karaki-killed-alongside-nasrallah/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Israel tracked Nasrallah for months before the assassination, officials say. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/middleeast/why-israel-assassinate-nasrallah.html?smid=url-share |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |title=BREAKING: Hezbollah confirms Nasrallah is killed after Israeli strike |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240928-hezbollah-confirms-nasrallah-is-killed-after-israeli-strike/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=Middle East Monitor}} Abbas Nilforoushan, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the Quds Force in Lebanon, was also killed.
= Succession =
Immediately following the announcement of Nasrallah's death, Naim Qassem was named as the interim leader of Hezbollah.{{cite news |agency=Reuters|title=Naim Qassem named interim leader of Hezbollah after Nasrallah's death |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2499459/naim-qassem-named-interim-leader-of-hezbollah-after-nasrallahs-death |work=The Express Tribune |date=29 September 2024 |language=en}} Three possible permanent successors were identified: Qassem;{{Cite web |last=Salhani |first=Justin |title=Who will succeed Hassan Nasrallah as Hezbollah's next leader? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/28/who-will-succeed-hassan-nasrallah-as-hezbollahs-next-leader |access-date=29 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyed, head of the Political Council of Hezbollah;{{Cite web |date=4 October 2024 |title=العربية: أمين السيد أمينا عاما لحزب الله خلفا لـ هاشم صفي الدين |url=https://www.elbalad.news/6343158}} and Hashem Safieddine, Hezbollah's second in command, Nasrallah's cousin and also a cleric, who reportedly survived the attack on the Hezbollah headquarters.{{Cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Maya |last2=Lowe |first2=Yohannes |last3=Mackay |first3=Hamish |last4=Fulton |first4=Adam |date=28 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah killed by Israel in major escalation of conflict – Middle East live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/28/middle-east-crisis-live-israel-steps-up-attacks-on-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-amid-rising-fears-of-wider-war#top-of-blog |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
On 29 September 2024, Al Arabiya reported that Safieddine had been named the new secretary-general of Hezbollah, which Hezbollah denied.{{cite news |title=Safieddine named new Hezbollah leader, report says |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202409297856 |work=Iran International |date=29 September 2024 |language=en}} Reuters reported that Hezbollah may have been reluctant to officially name a successor for fear he would be targeted by Israel for assassination. Four days later, Safieddine was assassinated during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on 3 October,{{Cite news |last1=Gebeily |first1=Maya |last2=Azhari |first2=Timour |last3=Lubell |first3=Maayan |date=2024-10-05 |title=Potential Hezbollah leader out of contact since Friday, Lebanese source says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-armed-wing-leader-killed-israeli-strike-north-lebanon-hamas-media-says-2024-10-05/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-05 |title=Hezbollah loses contact with leader seen as Nasrallah's successor: Sources |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/5/hezbollah-loses-contact-with-senior-leader-hashem-safieddine-sources |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-10-05 |title=Report: Israeli sources say Nasrallah's presumed successor Safieddine killed in airstrike |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-israeli-sources-say-nasrallahs-presumed-successor-safieddine-killed-in-airstrike/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=Times of Israel}} and Hezbollah confirmed his death on 23 October after his body was found.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Hezbollah confirms that top official Hashem Safieddine, expected to be group's next leader, killed in Israeli airstrike |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/hezbollah-confirms-top-official-hashem-144251720.html |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}} Qassem was then elected secretary-general of Hezbollah on 29 October 2024.{{Cite news |last=Christou |first=William |date=2024-10-29 |title=Hezbollah elects new leader after Israeli killing of Nasrallah |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/29/hezbollah-elects-naim-qassem-as-new-leader |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
=Funerals=
The bodies of Nasrallah and Safieddine were secretly buried in temporary locations before their official funeral ceremonies, which were held on 23 February 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-23 |title=Mourners attend former Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/2/23/mourners-attend-former-hezbollah-leader-nasrallahs-funeral-in-lebanon |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
Reactions
= Domestic =
== Hezbollah and allies ==
Hezbollah said it would continue its fight against Israel. After the announcement of Nasrallah's death, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV aired Quran verses.{{Cite news |date=28 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah confirmed killed in Beirut attack |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-822177 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928083856/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-822177 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} Hezbollah supporters took to the streets mourning his death and gunfire was heard.{{Cite web |last=Gebeily |first=Maya |date=28 September 2024 |title=Shots in the air, wails and disbelief in Beirut after Hezbollah head killed |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/shots-air-wails-disbelief-beirut-after-hezbollah-head-killed-2024-09-28/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Reuters}} On 30 September, Hezbollah's acting leader, Naim Qassem, said the group's struggle would continue, and that it was prepared to face an Israeli ground assault.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah's acting leader vows to fight on after Nasrallah's death |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-09-30-2024-83ea5f243688f309754ec74850de4238 |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=Associated Press}}
The Amal Movement, another Shia political group in Lebanon, said that the death of Nasrallah would not weaken the resistance. It called Nasrallah a "martyr" and pledged to remain "shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, and arm to arm" against Israel.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Amal Movement says Nasrallah's killing will only increase resistance |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208159 |website=Al Jazeera}} Hezbollah's Christian ally Michel Aoun gave condolences to Nasrallah's family, saying: "Lebanon has lost an exceptional leader who led the national resistance."{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Missile launched from Lebanon towards Jerusalem intercepted by Israeli army; Houthis say they targeted Tel Aviv airport: Day 358 of the Gaza and Lebanon wars |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1428931/day-breaks-over-beirut-after-a-night-of-intense-israeli-strikes-on-the-southern-suburbs-day-358-of-the-gaza-and-lebanon-wars.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928142138/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1428931/day-breaks-over-beirut-after-a-night-of-intense-israeli-strikes-on-the-southern-suburbs-day-358-of-the-gaza-and-lebanon-wars.html |archive-date=28 September 2024 |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=L'Orient Le Jour}}
== Lebanese government ==
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the attack, calling Lebanese civilians to "stand united in the face of aggression".{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Lebanon PM condemns Israeli attack that killed Nasrallah, civilians |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208548 |website=Al Jazeera}} He declared three days of mourning in Lebanon,{{Cite news |last1=Fahim |first1=Kareem |last2=George |first2=Susannah |last3=El Chamaa |first3=Mohamad |last4=Cheeseman |first4=Abbie |date=29 September 2024 |title=Nasrallah's death stuns Lebanon, as Israel pummels Beirut |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/28/hasan-nasrallah-hezbollah-israel-beirut/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928212758/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/28/hasan-nasrallah-hezbollah-israel-beirut/ |url-status=live}} beginning on 30 September, with flags to fly at half-staff on public buildings.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Lebanon declares three days of mourning for slain Hezbollah chief |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208680 |website=Al Jazeera}}
In Beirut, Lebanese army tanks were deployed near the Burj Al Ghazal bridge to prevent clashes between Shia and Christian neighborhoods.{{Cite news |title=Live Updates: Hezbollah Confirms Leader's Death in Israeli Airstrike |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas |work=The New York Times |access-date=28 September 2024 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928140948/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas |url-status=live}} In the eastern part of the city, where Hezbollah's political rivals hold influence, some residents reacted to Nasrallah's death with a mix of surprise and celebration.
= Iran =
File:Kamal Kharrazi paying tribute to Hassan Nasrallah.jpg
Following the strike on 27 September, The New York Times reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council at his residence.{{Cite news |date=27 September 2024 |title=Live Updates: Israel Targets Hezbollah Leader in Strike on Residential Buildings Near Beirut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/27/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas |work=The New York Times |access-date=27 September 2024 |archive-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927192101/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/27/world/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas |url-status=live}} Reuters reported that Khamenei had moved to a secure location in Iran under increased security measures{{Cite news |date=28 September 2024 |title=Exclusive: Iran's Supreme Leader moved to secure location under heightened security, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-supreme-leader-moved-secure-location-under-heightened-security-sources-say-2024-09-28/ |work=Reuters |access-date=23 November 2024}} and that authorities were investigating senior security officials and Revolutionary Guards officers, with some arrested as suspected Mossad spies.
On 28 September, in response to the IDF's announcement of Nasrallah's assassination, Khamenei urged Muslims to support Hezbollah and the Lebanese people in confronting Israel's "wicked regime". Khamenei declared five days of mourning across the country for Nasrallah.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Iran's supreme leader declares 5 days of mourning for slain Hezbollah chief |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208502 |website=Al Jazeera}} President Masoud Pezeshkian said the attack would only "strengthen the resistance" and that the international community would not forget that the "terrorist attack" was ordered from New York, where Netanyahu was at the time of the attack.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Iranian president says Nasrallah killing to 'strengthen resistance' |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208319 |website=Al Jazeera}} Some in Iran gathered in central locations to perform Shia mourning rituals, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting ballads.
On 29 September, the New York Times reported that Iranian officials debated how to respond to Nasrallah's death. At a high-level meeting, conservative members, including Saeed Jalili, urged a swift retaliatory strike on Israel as deterrence. President Pezeshkian reportedly cautioned against falling into a trap for a larger war. Other moderates warned that attacking Israel could lead to devastating strikes on Iran's infrastructure, given the country's struggling economy.{{Cite news |title=Iran Projects Caution After Israeli Strikes Against Hezbollah |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/29/world/middleeast/iran-hezbollah-israel-nasrallah.html |work=The New York Times |first=Farnaz |last=Fassihi |date=29 September 2024 |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929043128/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/29/world/middleeast/iran-hezbollah-israel-nasrallah.html/ |url-status=live}}
Iran cited the attack on Hezbollah headquarters as one of the causes of the October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel.{{Cite news |title=US sees indications of imminent Iranian missile attack on Israel |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-has-indications-iran-preparing-launch-ballistic-missile-attack-israel-2024-10-01/ |work=Reuters}}
= Israel =
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated, "This is not the end of our toolbox," adding that "those who threaten the citizens of the State of Israel – we will know how to reach them – in the North, in the South, and even in more distant places."
After the attack, Israel reportedly hacked Beirut airport's control tower, warning an Iranian cargo plane not to land under threat of attack. The Lebanese Transport Minister said he intervened promptly and prevented the aircraft from landing.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-28 |title=Israel reportedly hacks Beirut airport control tower, warns Iranian plane not to land |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-822208 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}
= International =
- {{Flag|China}}: The Foreign Ministry said that Israel is violating Lebanese sovereignty after the attacks.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title='Tension between Lebanon and Israel is a spillover of the Gaza conflict': China |url=https://aje.io/0nlegq?update=3209299 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|Cuba}}: President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the "cowardly selective murder" of Nasrallah.{{cite news |title=Cuba condena el asesinato del líder de Hizbulá tras el bombardeo de Israel en Beirut|trans-title=Cuba condemns the killing of the leader of Hezbollah after Israel's bombing of Beirut|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/09/28/cuba-condena-el-asesinato-del-lider-de-hizbula-tras-el-bombardeo-de-israel-en-beirut/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=Infobae |date=28 September 2024|language=es}}
- {{Flag|France}}: The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated they were contacting the Lebanese authority to avoid further instability after the attack.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=France says working to prevent 'destabilisation' following Nasrallah's killing |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3207836 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|Germany}}: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the attack was "highly dangerous" and risked destabilising Lebanon, adding this was "in no way in Israel's security interest".{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Lebanon destabilisation 'not in Israel's security interest': Germany |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208491 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|Iraq}}: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani and cleric Muqtada al-Sadr declared three days of mourning across the country.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Iraq declares three days of mourning after Nasrallah killing |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208007 |website=Al Jazeera}} Demonstrations in support of Nasrallah broke out in Basra and Karbala Governorates and in Baghdad, blocking roads to the Green Zone. The Grand Ayatollah of Iraq Ali al-Sistani condemned the killing, saying Nasrallah was important for Palestinian resistance and the fight against ISIS.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Iraq's Green Zone blocked by protests following Nasrallah killing |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208903 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|Pakistan}}: In Karachi, people went to the streets to protest against the assassination of Nasrallah, culminating in clashes with the police.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XxPxX_vIWpA?si=brF5OqfV1XJHvIwL |title=Clashes as Pakistanis protest over Hezbollah leader's killing {{!}} AJ #shorts |language=en |access-date=2024-10-08 |via=www.youtube.com}}
- {{Flag|Palestine}}: Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority offered his condolences after the attack. The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization offered condolences for the "martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and the civilian victims killed by the Israeli occupation's onslaught".{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Mahmoud Abbas offers condolences to Lebanon after Nasrallah's killing |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208421 |website=Al Jazeera}} Hamas issued a statement mourning Nasrallah.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Hamas mourns Hezbollah leader's killing |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3207946 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|Russia}}: The Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's assassination, warning it could escalate violence in the Middle East, and called for an immediate halt to hostilities.{{Cite web |last1=Jamal |first1=Urooba |last2=Marsi |first2=Federica |title=Israel hits Beirut again after Hezbollah confirms Nasrallah's killing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/28/israel-attacks-lebanon-deaths-mount-as-beirut-buildings-bombed-to |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the country was concerned about the Israeli airstrike which killed Nasrallah.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Russia condemns 'killing of Palestinian civilians by American weapons' |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208633 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|South Africa}}: The Foreign Ministry condemned the "extrajudicial killings" and stated its solidarity with the Lebanese authorities.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=South Africa denounces Israel's 'indiscriminate' attacks on Lebanon |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208880 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flagicon|Ba'athist Syria}} Syria: The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Syria condemns 'despicable' Israeli killing of Nasrallah |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208524 |website=Al Jazeera}} The Syrian Social Nationalist Party released a statement mourning Nasrallah.{{cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=SSNP mourns Nasrallah, pledges to continue the march |url=https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/politics/725337/ssnp-mourns-nasrallah-pledges-to-continue-the-marc |publisher=National News Agency}} In rebel-controlled Idlib, locals celebrated Nasrallah's death for the suffering and deaths caused during the Syrian civil war.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah's Victims Express Relief at Its Disarray |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/middleeast/hezbollah-victims-israel-strikes.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929071540/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/world/middleeast/hezbollah-victims-israel-strikes.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Mahlool |first1=Fared Al |last2=Yan |first2=Sophia |date=28 September 2024 |title=Syrians take to the streets to celebrate Hassan Nasrallah's death |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/28/syrians-celebrate-idlib-hassan-nasrallah-death/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928230943/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/28/syrians-celebrate-idlib-hassan-nasrallah-death/ |url-status=live}}
- {{Flag|Turkey}}: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Nasrallah was an important figure for Lebanon and the Middle East and will be hard to replace.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Turkey says Israel won't stop attacking Lebanon |url=https://aje.io/mycvl0?update=3208689 |website=Al Jazeera}}
- {{Flag|United States}}: President Joe Biden said Nasrallah's death "was a measure of justice for his many victims", including thousands of civilians in the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. He reiterated the US' support for Israel against "Iranian-supported terrorist groups." Biden said the defense secretary would bolster US military forces in the Middle East to prevent a regional war, while maintaining diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.{{Cite news |date=28 September 2024 |title=Biden: Nasrallah's death was 'measure of justice' for his many victims |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-822248 |access-date=28 September 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928164326/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-822248 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=28 September 2024 |title=Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/28/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-death-of-hassan-nasrallah/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=The White House |language=en-US |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928165333/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/28/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-death-of-hassan-nasrallah/ |url-status=live}} Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support for Israel's attack on Hezbollah headquarters.{{cite news |title=Biden, Harris call Israeli killing of Hezbollah's Nasrallah 'measure of justice' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-harris-call-israeli-killing-of-hezbollah-s-nasrallah-measure-of-justice-/7803193.html |work=VOA News |date=28 September 2024}}{{cite news |title=US political leaders rally behind Israel after Nasrallah killing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/28/us-political-leaders-rally-behind-israel-after-nasrallah-killing |work=Al Jazeera |date=28 September 2024}}
- {{Flag|Venezuela}}: President Nicolás Maduro condemned the killing and called on the "Arab people to raise their voice."{{cite news |title=Nicolás Maduro se solidarizó con Hezbollah por la muerte de Hassan Nasrallah y arengó al mundo árabe a "levantar su voz" |trans-title=Nicolás Maduro showed solidarity with Hezbollah over the death of Hassan Nasrallah and egged on the Arab World to "raise their voice"|url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/nicolas-maduro-solidarizo-hezbollah-muerte-hassan-nasrallah-arengo-mundo-arabe-levantar-voz_0_8lbk3yF7Vo.html?srsltid=AfmBOorypSITDF0i6Loy1znH3p7BkqaZY21tse_HwCl68SVDoUsX7CHb |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=Clarín|date=30 September 2024|language=es}}
= Militant groups =
The Yemeni Houthi movement issued statements mourning Nasrallah. A surface-to-surface ballistic missile launched from Yemen towards central Israel was shot down by the Arrow defense system.{{Cite news |date=28 September 2024 |title=Yemen's Houthis mourn slain Hezbollah chief, say resistance will not be broken |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemens-houthis-mourn-slain-hezbollah-chief-say-resistance-will-not-be-broken-2024-09-28/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=28 September 2024 |title=IDF says missile fired from Yemen shot down outside of country's borders |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-missile-fired-from-yemen-shot-down-outside-of-countrys-borders/ |work=Times of Israel}}
Kata'ib Hezbollah blamed "Zionist-American aggression" for Nasrallah's death while Ashab al Kahf warned that any participants or backers of the attack were part of its "upcoming target bank."{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-september-28-2024 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en}}
Analysis
US analysts initially believed the IDF dropped more than fifteen US-made bombs (either BLU-109s or Mark 84s weighing {{Convert|2000|lb|kg}} each), with a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kit, to kill Nasrallah.{{Cite news |last1=Cheeseman |first1=Abbie |last2=Kelly |first2=Meg |last3=Piper |first3=Imogen |date=2024-09-30 |title=Israel likely used U.S.-made 2,000-pound bombs in Nasrallah strike, visuals show |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/29/israel-bomb-beirut-nasrallah-death/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |date=2024-09-30 |title=Israel used US-made 'bunker buster' bombs in attack on Hezbollah's leader, analysts say |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-30/us-2000-pound-bombs-used-to-kill-hassan-nasrallah-beirut/104412112 |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{cite news |title=Israel likely used U.S.-made 2,000-pound bombs in Nasrallah strike, visuals show |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/29/israel-bomb-beirut-nasrallah-death/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=29 September 2024}}{{cite news |title= US-made 2,000-pound bombs likely used in strike that killed Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, CNN analysis shows|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/30/middleeast/israel-attack-nasrallah-2000-pound-bombs-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=30 September 2024}} However, Israel Hayom later reported that the attack was carried out using Israeli-manufactured bombs.[https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/defense/article/16597565 83 פצצות כחול-לבן: חיל האוויר חיסל את חסן נסראללה באמצעות חימוש ישראלי]
The Economist noted that "Nasrallah's death will reshape Lebanon, and the region, in ways that would have been unthinkable a year ago." According to the newspaper, "Whoever takes the reins will face the most precarious moment in Hezbollah's four-decade history. It is not just that Israel has wiped out almost its entire military leadership, erasing centuries of experience in a matter of two months. It is also that the group stands humiliated in front of a Lebanese public that had already come to resent Hezbollah for its heavy-handed domination of politics."{{Cite news |title=Hassan Nasrallah's death will reshape Lebanon and the Middle East |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/28/hassan-nasrallahs-death-will-reshape-lebanon-and-the-middle-east |access-date=28 September 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928181257/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/09/28/hassan-nasrallahs-death-will-reshape-lebanon-and-the-middle-east |url-status=live}}
Writing in The New York Times, Farnaz Fassihi said the assassination of Nasrallah eliminated a key figure of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's inner circle, as Iran had spent forty years developing Hezbollah as a frontline defense against Israel. Fassihi said that Iran had, over time, activated a broader network of militant groups, including Hezbollah, to open multiple fronts against Israel, aiming to create regional chaos and pressure both the U.S. and Israel into negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas.
Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Yaroslav Trofimov reported that Israel's assaults on Hezbollah, marked by significant intelligence penetration and culminating in Nasrallah's death, highlight the group's miscalculation regarding both Israel's resilience and Iran's power. According to their analysis, "In retrospect, this was the outcome of Nasrallah’s making two strategic mistakes: grossly underestimating Israel, his foe, and overestimating the abilities of his patron, Iran, and its network of allied militant groups in the region."{{Cite news |last=Trofimov |first=Yaroslav |date=29 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah Misjudged Israel's Weakness and Iran's Might |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-misjudged-israels-weakness-and-irans-might-b169e552 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=29 September 2024 |archive-date=29 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929083432/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-misjudged-israels-weakness-and-irans-might-b169e552 |url-status=live}}
In The Guardian, Peter Beaumont said the killing had raised questions about the effectiveness of Israel’s "campaign of assassinations", noting that the 1992 killing of Abbas al-Musawi, secretary general of Hezbollah, only led to the succession of Hassan Nasrallah. He said it "may take months" to see any impact from Israel's assassinations upon Hezbollah.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/29/impact-of-hezbollah-assassinations-may-take-months-to-emerge |title=Impact of Hezbollah assassinations may take months to emerge |first=Peter |last=Beaumont |date=29 September 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian}}
According to The Washington Post, the killing of Nasrallah "left a shaken Lebanon ... a void the militant group might struggle to fill, and its battle with Israel on an uncertain and possibly more violent path." In The Daily Telegraph, Adrian Blomfield stated that the assassination "may forever cripple Hezbollah, weaken Iranian influence and potentially even reshape the Middle East itself." He added that the recent strikes showed Hezbollah had been "clearly infiltrated at all levels" by Israel, and that Hezbollah and Iran "might possibly be facing a slow but terminal decline".{{Cite news |last=Blomfield |first=Adrian |date=28 September 2024 |title=How Israel killed Hezbollah's leader Nasrallah and crippled the enemy on its border |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/28/how-israel-killed-nasrallah-and-crippled-hezbollah/ |access-date=29 September 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=28 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928230948/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/28/how-israel-killed-nasrallah-and-crippled-hezbollah/ |url-status=live}} Reuters observed that the assassination had caused a loss of trust within Iran's and Hezbollah's establishments as well as between them.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Sources
- {{Cite book |last=Daher |first=Aurélie |date=2019 |title=Hezbollah: Mobilization and Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3dehDwAAQBAJ |translator=Henry W. Randolph |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780190092634 |oclc=1104064646}}
{{Gaza war}}
{{Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}
{{Targeted killing by Israel}}
Category:2024 building bombings
Category:September 2024 in Lebanon
Category:Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon
Category:Assassinations in Lebanon
Category:Building bombings in Beirut
Category:Military assassinations
Category:Beirut in the Israeli–Lebanese conflict
Category:Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)
Category:Targeted killing by Israel
Category:Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
Category:Attacks on office buildings in Lebanon