Israel Claims Killing of Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah in Airstrike, Hezbollah Silent

Israel announced on Saturday that it had killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a targeted airstrike on the group's headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs, a development that, if confirmed, would deal a crushing blow to Hezbollah and its backers in Iran. Nasrallah has led the powerful Iran-backed militant group for 32 years and has been a central figure in the "Axis of Resistance," a coalition projecting Iranian influence across the Middle East.

Hezbollah has yet to issue any statement regarding Nasrallah’s status, and Reuters was unable to reach officials for comment. The uncertainty surrounding his fate has fueled intense speculation across Lebanon and the wider region, as Nasrallah's leadership has been key to Hezbollah’s power and strategic influence.

In a statement, the Israeli military claimed responsibility for the strike, saying Nasrallah was killed along with senior Hezbollah commander Ali Karaki and other top leaders. The strike reportedly targeted the group's underground headquarters beneath a residential building in Dahiyeh, the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburb of Beirut.

"The strike was conducted while Hezbollah’s senior chain of command was operating from the headquarters and advancing terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel," the Israeli military said.