Hezbollah Vows Retaliation for Death of Longtime Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Israeli Airstrike on Beirut

Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The militant group vowed to avenge his death, mirroring sentiments expressed by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a statement issued Saturday, Khamenei urged Muslims in the region to support Hezbollah in confronting Israel. He emphasised that “the fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance,” positioning Hezbollah at the forefront of that struggle.

Nasrallah was a founding member of the Iranian-backed militant group and has served as its sole leader since 1992, when an Israeli airstrike also killed his predecessor and co-founder Abbas al-Musawi. AP

Nasrallah, aged 64, was reportedly in a bunker beneath Hezbollah’s main headquarters when Israeli warplanes bombed the area, levelling six buildings and killing several high-ranking Hezbollah officials. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the neutralisation of key figures, including Muhammad Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah’s missile unit, and his deputy, along with other commanders present at a meeting.

Smoke rises above buildings in Beirut, Lebanon, after an airstrike on Sept. 27, 2024. via REUTERS

This attack followed earlier strikes by Israel that killed three senior Hezbollah military commanders and resulted in over 700 casualties among soldiers and civilians. Nasrallah had been a founding member of Hezbollah and its sole leader since 1992, following the assassination of his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, by Israeli forces.

Israel shared a graphic of Hezbollah’s chain of command and the leaders that have been killed. Israel/X

Israeli officials noted that Nasrallah was pivotal in Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” and his death represents a significant blow to hostile regional forces in light of the recent conflict that began after Hamas assaulted Israel on October 7.

In response to the escalation, the IDF issued a warning regarding Hezbollah’s extensive rocket arsenal, which threatens Israeli civilians. They advised Lebanese civilians in specific areas to evacuate due to the ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah.

Nasrallah’s death is considered a significant victory in their ongoing campaign against hostile regional forces in the aftermath of Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 assault on Israel. REUTERS

The attacks on Nasrallah were followed by more bombings in Beirut, raising concerns of a broader conflict in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed worries that the situation in Gaza and Lebanon could spiral into a larger war involving external powers.

Lebanese army soldiers stand on top of the rubble of a levelled building as others fight the flames on Sept. 27, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

First responders rush to the site of an Israeli airstrike in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood in Beirut on Sept. 27, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN, condemning the body as a “swamp of antisemitic bile” and warning Iran against any aggression towards Israel. Meanwhile, Khamenei convened an emergency session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reaffirming Iran’s stance amid the escalating violence.

Mourners attend a mass funeral on Sept. 27, 2024, for 16 people killed in Israeli strikes on the Mount Lebanon village of Maaysra earlier in the week. AFP via Getty Images

As of now, there has been no announcement regarding a successor to Nasrallah as the secretary-general of Hezbollah.