Beirut, Lebanon – September 28, 2024 – In a daring and meticulously planned operation, Israel eliminated Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a significant airstrike on his underground headquarters in Beirut.

The strike, which took place on Friday evening, is being hailed as one of Israel’s most audacious military operations in recent years. Israeli defense officials revealed that they had tracked Nasrallah’s whereabouts for months, waiting for the opportune moment to act.

The decision to target Nasrallah came amidst heightened tensions in the region, with Israeli forces already engaged in hostilities on multiple fronts, including Gaza.

The elimination of the Hezbollah chief, whose death was confirmed by the group on Saturday, is expected to reverberate across the Middle East, reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

Nasrallah, a key figure in Hezbollah since the 1990s, was seen as the face of resistance against Israel and a powerful ally of Iran. His death marks the end of an era for Hezbollah and could escalate tensions further in Lebanon and beyond.

Months of Surveillance, a Quick Decision

Senior Israeli defense officials told The New York Times that Israeli intelligence had been aware of Nasrallah’s location for several months, but the timing of the strike was crucial.

The operation was greenlit just days before the airstrike, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu giving the final approval while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The operation’s timing was reportedly kept secret even from key allies like the United States. Israeli officials, who had been in talks with the U.S. about a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, feared that the window to eliminate Nasrallah was closing.

As a result, the decision to launch the strike was made unilaterally, without informing Washington in advance. According to Israeli reports, the U.S. was only notified once Israeli planes were already en route to their target in Beirut.

A Precision Strike on Hezbollah’s Heartland

The strike on Nasrallah’s bunker was carried out by the Israeli Air Force’s 69th Squadron, known for operating F-15I fighter jets.

Over 80 bombs were dropped in the operation, which flattened six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold known as the Dahiyeh.

This area has long been associated with Hezbollah’s military operations, and it is believed that Nasrallah had been using an underground bunker there as his headquarters.

Senior Israeli Air Force officials described the strike as a flawless mission. “Everything we planned was executed precisely, with no errors,” the commander of the 69th Squadron said in a statement.

The operation, which involved the use of bunker-busting bombs, was designed to penetrate deep underground, ensuring that Nasrallah’s bunker was completely destroyed.

Brigadier General Amichai Levin, the commander of the Hatzerim Airbase, where the strike was coordinated, called the mission “very complex” but ultimately a success.

“Dozens of munitions hit the target within seconds with very high precision,” Levin said, adding that there was no enemy fire directed at Israeli planes during the operation.

Hezbollah Confirms Nasrallah’s Death

On Saturday morning, Hezbollah confirmed that Hassan Nasrallah had been killed in the Israeli strike, along with Ali Karaki, the group’s southern front commander.

Karaki had survived a previous Israeli assassination attempt just days earlier, but this time, the strike proved fatal.

The death of Nasrallah is expected to be a significant blow to Hezbollah, which has been one of the most formidable non-state military forces in the Middle East.

Known for his fiery speeches and strategic leadership, Nasrallah had led Hezbollah through multiple conflicts with Israel, including the 2006 Lebanon War.

Under his leadership, Hezbollah became a key player in the Syrian Civil War, fighting alongside forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and solidified its role as a regional power broker.

However, not all key Hezbollah figures were present in the bunker during the strike. Israeli officials confirmed that Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin and his likely successor, was not at the site when the bombs hit.

Reactions from Israel and the U.S.

Israeli officials have expressed satisfaction with the operation’s success, with Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly giving his approval for the strike shortly before delivering a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

In his address, Netanyahu denounced Hezbollah and issued warnings to Iran, signaling that Israel would continue to defend itself against threats from its northern border.

The decision to target Nasrallah came after days of internal deliberations within the Israeli government and defense establishment.

According to Israeli reports, the plan to eliminate Nasrallah was first discussed earlier in the week, with unanimous support from top Israeli defense officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Mossad Chief David Barnea, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar.

However, not all members of Netanyahu’s cabinet were initially in favor of the operation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem reportedly voiced concerns that the strike could complicate Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.

Despite these objections, the cabinet gave its conditional approval for the strike, paving the way for Friday’s operation.

In the U.S., the response has been more complicated. American officials expressed frustration that Israel did not notify Washington about the strike until it was already underway.

According to reports, the U.S. had believed it was engaged in good-faith negotiations with Israel about a potential ceasefire in Lebanon, only to be caught off guard by the sudden attack.

Some U.S. officials have privately expressed concern that the strike could escalate tensions in Lebanon and derail ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.

The Impact on the Middle East

The killing of Nasrallah is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East. Hezbollah, which has long been a proxy for Iran’s influence in the region, now faces the challenge of finding a new leader.

While Hashem Safieddine is considered the most likely successor, it remains to be seen how the group will respond to the loss of its long-time leader.

Brigadier General Amichai Levin, who oversaw the operation from Hatzerim Airbase, predicted that Nasrallah’s death would “change the face of the Middle East.”

Israeli officials believe that the elimination of Hezbollah’s leader could significantly weaken the group’s military capabilities and disrupt its operations in Lebanon and Syria.

At the same time, there are concerns that Hezbollah may retaliate against Israel in the wake of Nasrallah’s death.

The group has a history of launching rocket attacks and other military operations against Israeli targets, and its supporters are likely to demand revenge for the loss of their leader.

In Lebanon, Nasrallah’s death has already sparked a wave of mourning, with Hezbollah supporters taking to the streets to pay their respects.

Across the region, leaders are closely watching the situation, with many fearing that the strike could lead to a broader escalation of violence.

What’s Next?

For Israel, the success of the strike is a major military achievement, but it also raises questions about what comes next. While the elimination of Nasrallah is a significant victory, it is unlikely to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

In the short term, Israeli forces are expected to remain on high alert, anticipating potential retaliation from Hezbollah or its allies.

As the region absorbs the impact of Nasrallah’s death, the Middle East stands at a crossroads. Whether the strike leads to a de-escalation of tensions or a new wave of violence remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the killing of Hassan Nasrallah marks a turning point in the decades-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and its effects will be felt for years to come.