“Martyr” narrative
Hezbollah confirms Nasrallah’s death
September 28, 2024, 1:48 p.m
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In the morning, Israel reported the death of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah. Hours later comes the confirmation of the pro-Iranian militia, coupled with new threats against Israel.
The radical Islamic militia Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its long-time leader Sajjed Hassan Nasrallah. The fight against Israel will continue, it said in a statement. Nasrallah joined his slain “martyred comrades” after leading the organization for nearly 30 years, the pro-Iranian militia said. France had also previously said it had information confirming Nasrallah’s death. “According to the information we have, Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, would actually be dead,” the French Foreign Ministry said, citing regional partners in Lebanon.
Earlier today, Israel announced that Nasrallah was killed in an attack on Friday in a Beirut suburb. “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” the Israeli military said. The important Hezbollah commander for the south of the country, Ali Karaki, and other militia commanders were also killed.
The assessment that Nasrallah was dead was based on a combination of various intelligence information. The army also had information that Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders had met at the headquarters.
According to its own statement, Israel’s military attacked Hezbollah’s headquarters, which was said to have been located under residential buildings. After the attack in the suburb of Haret Hreik near the airport, thick clouds of smoke could be seen, followed by large piles of rubble. According to state media, several buildings were completely destroyed. Therefore there could be dozens or even hundreds of deaths. According to the Ministry of Health, at least six people were killed and 91 injured.
Attack prepared for a long time
“The message to everyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel is simple: We will know how to reach them. In the north, in the south and in more distant places,” said Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi. The attack on Friday, which the army gave the name “New Order”, had been prepared for a long time. “It came at the right time and in a very sharp way,” Halevi continued. The military is now on high alert.
“Hezbollah’s weakened and battered state provides a short window of opportunity to further weaken its strategic capabilities,” said Orna Mizrachi of the Israel Institute for National Security (INSS). Because of the civilian casualties in Lebanon, there will soon be pressure on Israel to stop the operations. Israel must develop an exit strategy together with the USA to end the conflict in the north, said the researcher at the Israeli think tank.
Nasrallah had been at the head of the Shiite militia since 1992. He was one of Israel’s most difficult opponents. He coordinated closely with Iran and its Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah’s main backer. He has transformed the militia into a much more powerful and dangerous organization than it was during his predecessor’s time.
