Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, daughter killed in Israeli strike in Beirut
The Israeli military has confirmed that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday, contradicting the militant group's assertions that its leader is "safe." In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that, in addition to Nasrallah, the commander of Hezbollah's so-called Southern Front, Ali Karaki, was killed, along with other officers. Nasrallah was assassinated at Hezbollah's main headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold known as Dahiyeh.
Daughter of Nasrallah also killed
Channel 12 reported that the daughter of Nasrallah was also killed in the massive Israeli airstrikes. However, neither Israel nor Lebanon has issued an official confirmation of Zainab Nasrallah's death. Zainab, known for her open support for Hezbollah and her family's sacrifices, had previously spoken out about the loss of her brother, Hadi, who was assassinated by Israeli forces in 1997. Hadi and Zainab are two of Nasrallah's four children.
Israel intensifies airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds
Israeli forces targeted the Hezbollah headquarters on Friday in what appeared to be an attempt to assassinate Nasrallah, a key ally of Iran. This strike was one of Israel's most powerful in Lebanon since the war with Hezbollah started, causing massive destruction and displacement. The Lebanese health authorities confirmed six fatalities and 91 injuries from Israel's initial attack. But these numbers are expected to rise as rescue teams continue to sift through the rubble.
For too long, the world has appeased Iran: Netanyahu
The strike came just after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a tough address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, informing delegates that Israel would continue to combat Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both of these terror groups are Iranian proxies. "For too long, the world has appeased Iran...That appeasement must end and that appeasement must end now," Netanyahu said.
Airstrikes destroyed dozens of anti-ship missiles
According to the Israeli military, the airstrikes overnight destroyed dozens of anti-ship missiles stashed by Hezbollah under buildings in Beirut. The IDF claimed Hezbollah was in possession of the Chinese C-704 and C802 missiles, as well as the Iranian Ghader, with ranges of up to roughly 200 kilometers. The strikes destroyed six facilities where coast-to-sea missiles were housed and maintained, according to the military.
