Topline
Hezbollah confirmed Saturday its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah—the target of Israel’s aerial bombardment on the group’s Beirut headquarters—was killed during the strike, a major victory for Israel but a further escalation in the conflict.
Nasrallah was confirmed dead Saturday. (Photo by Francesca Volpi/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Nasrallah was killed in a large strike on what the Israel Defense Forces called Hezbollah’s “central headquarters” in southern Beirut, according to The Washington Post.
Israeli leaders were tracking the whereabouts of Nasrallah months ahead of the strike, which involved the use of more than 80 bombs, The New York Times reported, noting the body of Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki was found and identified alongside Nasrallah’s.
Nasrallah’s cousin and potential successor, Hashem Safieddine, was not present at the site of the attack and could soon be announced as Hezbollah’s new secretary general, the Times reported, citing Israeli Defense Force officials.
Israel expects Hezbollah or its allies to launch retaliatory strikes following Nasrallah’s death and has prohibited gatherings of more than 1,000 until Monday evening in certain parts of the country, the Post reported, citing Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement early Saturday “Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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