Israel launched a series of strikes on Hezbollah positions in eastern and southern Lebanon, claiming to have attacked over 140 sites linked to the armed groups.
Residential buildings were reported to have been flattened, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the morning sky. The situation was dire for Hezbollah, with the Israel Defense Forces claiming that their strikes had killed several Hezbollah commanders, including their leader Hassan Nasrallah.The death was confirmed by Hezbollah hours later.
Iran also reported the death of Abbas Nilforushan, deputy commander in Iranian Revolutionary Guardwho was also killed in the airstrike that killed Nasrallah. Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed the loss, pointing to the far-reaching consequences of the Israeli operations.
The Israeli Air Force said: “The IDF continues to attack Hezbollah terrorist targets in Lebanese territory,” while sharing videos of airstrikes. Videos captured the explosions as they rocked various targets in Lebanon.
The operation to eliminate Nasrallah was called the New Order, a clear indication of its strategic importance to Israeli military planners.
The video, also released by the Israeli Air Force, shows chilling moments from the command center where the chief of the General Staff led the operation to kill the Hezbollah leader.
Hezbollah, which has been a formidable opponent of Israel for decades, vowed to persevere in its “holy war” against what it called the enemy and in support of Palestine.
The incident marked a turning point, as Nasrallah has been an important figure in Lebanese and regional politics, leading Hezbollah for more than three decades.
In the wider context of this conflict, the week was marked as one of the deadliest for Lebanon since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Reports indicate that Israeli strikes have killed more than 700 people, with at least 150 women and children among the victims.
