Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah of Lebanon. File photo: Reuters.


The Israeli military has announced that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Shiite Islamist political party and armed group, has been killed.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, the Israeli military stated, “Hassan Nasrallah can no longer conduct terrorism in the world.”

On Friday night, Israel carried out airstrikes in various locations throughout Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut. Reports indicate that the strikes targeted Hezbollah's command center, specifically aiming at Nasrallah and other leaders. Following the attacks, news of Nasrallah's alleged death was circulated.

However, Hezbollah has not officially confirmed Nasrallah’s status and has not issued any statements regarding the attacks. A close source to Hezbollah informed Reuters that they could not locate him.

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he declared that Israel would continue its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Shortly after his remarks, intensified attacks were launched in Lebanon.


**Who is Hassan Nasrallah?**

Hassan Nasrallah, 64, was born in 1960 and grew up in the Burj Hamoud area of eastern Beirut. His father, Abdul Karim, was a vegetable vendor, and Nasrallah was the eldest of nine children.

In 1975, during the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War, Nasrallah joined the Shiite movement Amal. He later left that group in 1982 to help form Hezbollah, which officially announced its establishment in 1985.

Hezbollah has consistently identified the United States and the former Soviet Union as its "two main enemies," while also calling for the destruction of Israel, which it views as an occupier of Muslim land.

In 1992, at just 32 years old, Nasrallah became the leader of Hezbollah following the death of his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, in an Israeli helicopter attack. One of Nasrallah's first actions was to retaliate for Musawi’s death by ordering rocket attacks against northern Israel.

Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah has fought against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, contributing to Israel’s withdrawal in 2000. However, this conflict also led to personal losses for Nasrallah, including the death of his eldest son, Hadi.

Hezbollah has provided training and support to fighters from the Palestinian group Hamas, as well as to militias in Iraq and Yemen. The organization possesses a significant arsenal of missiles and rockets, supplied by Iran for use against Israel.

Originally formed as a militia to expel Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, Hezbollah has since evolved into a powerful force, surpassing the Lebanese army in strength and exerting considerable influence in Lebanese politics.

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have escalated since October 8 of last year, following a series of Hamas rocket attacks in southern Israel. In response, Israel launched extensive military operations in Gaza. In solidarity with the Palestinians, Hezbollah has intermittently launched rocket attacks into Israeli territory and the occupied Golan Heights.