Last Updated: September 28, 2024, 14:54 IST
Jerusalem, Israel
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sitting alongside his military leaders during Operation New Order.
The IDF confirms the successful airstrike "New Order" that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday said that a targeted airstrike named “New Order” successfully killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.
During the operation, long-time leader Hezbollah leader, who headed the Iranian-backed outfit for 32 years, was killed alongside other top commanders. In the images and video released by the IDF, tension is palpable among the Israeli military brass and Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant.
The airstrike, conducted by Israeli Air Force fighter jets, targeted Hezbollah’s Central Headquarters, reportedly located underground beneath a residential building in the Dahieh area. Alongside Nasrallah, the strike also claimed the life of Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front.
The operation was launched based on precise intelligence indicating that senior Hezbollah commanders were present and actively planning attacks against Israel. In its statement, the Israeli military described Nasrallah as a central figure in orchestrating terrorist attacks globally, asserting that he was responsible for numerous civilian casualties of various nationalities. They emphasized that Hezbollah had joined Hamas in its conflict against Israel, with ongoing “unprovoked attacks” since October 8.
The announcement follows a series of intense airstrikes on Beirut, which lasted for five hours early Saturday morning. These strikes were reported to be among the most powerful Israel has conducted during its current conflict with Hezbollah. The situation remains fluid as search and rescue operations continue, with reports of significant casualties and damage in the densely populated area.