The Israeli army has officially announced the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Nasrallah, who had been the leader of the Iran-backed militant group for 32 years, was reported to have been the target of Friday’s strikes on Beirut. Several other senior members of Hezbollah were also reportedly killed in the airstrikes.
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah has helped train fighters from Hamas, militias in Iraq and Yemen, and reportedly obtained missiles and rockets from Iran for use against Israel. The killing of Nasrallah has raised concerns about further escalation in the conflict, with fears of potential involvement of Iran and the United States.
Thousands of residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs fled their homes in fear of Israeli attacks, with many seeking shelter in parks and streets. Israel issued warnings for people to evacuate certain areas of the densely populated Dahiyeh suburb before dawn on Saturday. The Lebanese health ministry reported six people killed and 91 injured in the strikes on Friday.
The European Union’s foreign affairs chief expressed regret over the escalating violence, calling for a ceasefire in the region. Tens of thousands of people protested in Iranian cities and the Yemeni capital against Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. UN Secretary General António Guterres reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the Middle East, emphasizing the need to end the violence in Gaza.
The fate of Hassan Nasrallah remains unclear, with Hezbollah yet to issue any official statement on his status after the Israeli strikes. Israel claims to have killed the leader of Hamas in southern Syria in a separate attack on Friday night. The situation remains tense as the conflict escalates between Israel and Hezbollah.
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