The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on Saturday, September 28, that they have killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon’s Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The announcement was made via the IDF’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
However, reports from news agencies Reuters and AFP on Friday had suggested that Nasrallah was alive and in good health, according to sources within Hezbollah. Despite Israel’s claims, Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement regarding Nasrallah’s status.
The Israeli airstrike, which targeted Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, took place on Friday afternoon. According to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the attack was carried out using advanced F-35 fighter jets and a 2,000-kilogram bunker-busting missile. He claimed that Hezbollah’s headquarters had been constructed beneath a civilian building in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district.
In a separate video statement, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee emphasized that Israel’s fight is with Hezbollah, not with the Lebanese people. The IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, also released a video message in which he stated that the operation targeting Nasrallah had been carefully planned and executed with precision.
Meanwhile, AFP reported on Saturday that a source close to Nasrallah informed them that communication with the Hezbollah leader had been lost since Friday evening.
Nasrallah has led Hezbollah for several decades, turning the group into a significant regional power while solidifying Iran’s influence across the Middle East. If confirmed, Nasrallah’s death would be a major blow not only to Hezbollah but also to Iran. Hezbollah was established in 1982 by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and has since played a pivotal role in extending Tehran’s reach in the region.
