The Israeli army announced the killing of Hizbullah Secretary-General, Hasan Nasrallah, in an attack on Beirut. Hizbullah confirmed Nasrallah’s death with a statement vowing to “continue fighting.” Hamas condemned the attack as a “cowardly terrorist act.” The bombardment also resulted in the deaths of Hizbullah’s Southern Front commander Ali Karaki, intelligence chief Hasan Yasin, and the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force in Lebanon, Abbas Nilforushan. Following Nasrallah’s killing, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was moved to a highly secure location. Mourning periods of five days in Iran, and three days each in Iraq and Lebanon were declared, while crowds larger than a thousand people were prohibited from gathering in Israel. Tensions in the Middle East have reached a peak.

On the fifth day of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Beirut saw consecutive explosions yesterday. Reports indicate that 11 people were killed, and 108 were wounded in the attacks. The Israeli army had previously stated that Hizbullah’s central headquarters were targeted in the strikes. Yesterday, it was alleged but unconfirmed that Hizbullah leader Hasan Nasrallah was killed in the attacks. Israeli media had earlier declared Nasrallah as the primary target of the assaults. Today, the Israeli army officially announced Nasrallah’s death and confirmed the deaths of Hizbullah’s Southern Front commander, Ali Karaki, and intelligence chief Hasan Yasin in the Beirut attack. Iranian media reported that the commander of the Lebanese Quds Force, Abbas Nilforushan, was also among the casualties in the Israeli strikes.

In a statement, the Israeli military spokesperson announced, “We eliminated Nasrallah, along with other high-ranking leaders, in an attack on Hizbullah’s stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday evening.” Hizbullah later confirmed Nasrallah’s death, reaffirming their commitment to continuing the fight. Hamas labeled the attack as a cowardly act of terrorism, emphasizing that Nasrallah’s death would bolster resistance efforts. Shiite leader from Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, conveyed his condolences for Nasrallah’s death, leading to a three-day mourning period declared in Iraq. Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, warned of reaching anyone threatening Israeli citizens, emphasizing ongoing preparedness on all fronts.

Furthermore, Iran remained in constant contact with Hizbullah and other regional allies to determine the next steps following Nasrallah’s killing. Reports indicated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was relocated to a secure area within Iran, prompting urgent meetings of the Iranian National Security Commission. Khamenei declared a five-day mourning period after Nasrallah’s death, vowing justice for his blood.Israeli military spokesperson Hagari characterized Nasrallah as “one of the greatest enemies Israel has ever faced,” emphasizing operations targeting infrastructure tied to Hizbullah, built with Iranian support. Defense Minister Gallant banned gatherings of more than a thousand people in Israel, considering Nasrallah and other commanders as legitimate targets due to the Hizbullah command center echoing international law. Prime Minister Mohammed Siya al-Sudani of Iraq expressed that Israel had crossed all red lines by killing Nasrallah. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended his condolences to Lebanon and Hizbullah.

Hizbullah’s Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah was born in Beirut on August 31, 1960. Nasrallah joined the Shiite Amal Movement in his hometown of el-Bazuriye at a young age during the onset of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. After receiving religious education in Shiite centers in Iraq and Iran, Nasrallah returned to Lebanon and pursued studies at a school established by Emile Movement’s leader Abbas Musawi. Joining Hizbullah after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Nasrallah assumed the role of Secretary-General following the assassination of Musawi by Israel in 1992.