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Assassination of Hassan Nasrallah
Part of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict and the spillover of the Israel–Hamas war
DahiehLocation within Lebanon
Location	Dahieh, Lebanon
Date	27 September 2024
Target	Hassan Nasrallah
Attack type	Airstrike
Weapon	5,000-pound (2,300 kg) bunker buster bombs
Deaths	6+ (including Hassan Nasrallah)
Injured	91+
Perpetrator	Israeli Air Force

On 27 September 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The strike took place while Hezbollah leaders was meeting at a headquarters in the Dahieh suburb of southern Beirut. Conducted by the Israeli Air Force's 119th Squadron using F-16I fighters, the operation involved dropping several tons of munitions, including US-made 5,000-pound (2,300 kg) bunker buster bombs, destroying the headquarters, which were reportedly located underground. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) codenamed the operation "New Order" (Template:Lang-he).

Initially, Nasrallah's condition was uncertain, but on 28 September 2024, the IDF confirmed his death, a claim later confirmed by Hezbollah. The attack resulted in at least six fatalities and over 91 injuries. According to the IDF, Ali Karaki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, along with other senior commanders, were also killed in the strike.

This attack followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations, in which he reaffirmed Israel's commitment to its campaign against Hezbollah, stating that Israel "yearns for peace". Earlier in September, Hezbollah suffered what have been described as some of the group's most severe setbacks, including the 17 and 18 September explosions of its handheld communication devices and the assassination of Ibrahim Aqil, commander of the elite Redwan Force. Additionally, in July, another senior Hezbollah military leader, Fuad Shukr, was also assassinated in Beirut.

Background

A day after Hamas launched its 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel and Israel began its bombing of Gaza, Hezbollah joined the conflict in "solidarity with the Palestinians" by firing on Israeli military outposts in Shebaa Farms, and Golan Heights — both territories under Israeli occupation. Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have been involved in cross-border military exchanges that have displaced entire communities in Israel and Lebanon, with significant damage to buildings and land along the border. From 7 October 2023 to 20 September 2024, there were 10,200 cross border attacks, of which Israel launched 8,300. Over 96,000 people in Israel and approximately 500,000 in Lebanon have been displaced. As of 24 August 2024, there were 564 confirmed deaths in Lebanon, including 133 civilians. Israel and Hezbollah have maintained their attacks at a level that causes harm without escalating into a full-scale war.

Hezbollah has stated it will continue attacking Israel until Israel halts its operations in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel demanded that Hezbollah implement UNSC 1701 and withdraw its forces north of the Litani River. Both Israel and Hezbollah have outstanding obligations under UNSCR 1701. Diplomatic efforts, led by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and France, have so far been unsuccessful in resolving the conflict. Late on 16 September 2024, the Security Cabinet of Israel established a new Israel-Hamas war objective: the safe return to the north of residents displaced by the cross-border conflict with Lebanon. This goal was added to the two existing objectives: dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken during the 7 October attacks.

On 17 and 18 September 2024, thousands of handheld pagers and walkie-talkies exploded in a coordinated series of attacks. The explosions killed 42 people and injured at least 3,500, including civilians. Reuters reported that, according to an unnamed Hezbollah official, 1,500 Hezbollah fighters were taken out of action due to injuries, with many blinded or having lost their hands. Despite Israel denying involvement with the attack, unnamed Israeli sources told Reuters and other media that it was orchestrated by Israel's intelligence service (Mossad) and military. In response, Hezbollah, who described the attack as a possible declaration of war by Israel, launched a rocket attack on northern Israel a few days later. On 20 September 2024, tensions further rose after Ibrahim Aqil was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut, along with other senior commanders from the unit. After advising Lebanese citizens to evacuate, Israel began airstrikes on 23 September.

On September 25, the United States and European Union released a statement calling for a 21-day ceasefire. The statement was also signed by Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Qatar. US officials said that Netanyahu had agreed to this, but the next day Netanyahu denied any involvement in this plan, leaving US officials reportedly "furious". Netanyahu later backtracked, saying he shared the aims of the US proposal.

Hassan Nasrallah

Hassan Nasrallah has served as the secretary-general of Hezbollah since 1992, leading the Shia militant and political organization through significant transformations. At 64, he has been the leader of the Iran-backed group for four decades. Nasrallah's involvement with the organization began in his youth in Tyre, where he was mentored by preacher Muhammad al-Gharawi and later by Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr in Najaf. Following the assassination of his mentor Abbas al-Musawi, Nasrallah was appointed as his successor.

Closely aligned with Iran, Nasrallah has significantly influenced Hezbollah throughout his tenure. Under his leadership, the group has engaged in numerous conflicts with Israel, most notably the 2006 Lebanon War. His time in command has transformed Hezbollah into the world's most heavily armed non-state actor, with its paramilitary wing surpassing the Lebanese Army in strength. During the Syrian civil war, Hezbollah fought on the side of the Syrian army against what Nasrallah termed "Islamist extremists". Under his leadership, Hezbollah faced criticism for its alleged involvement in the 2005 assassination of Lebanese PM Rafic Hariri and the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, he opted to engage in the conflict, initiating attacks on Israel, which resulted in a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that impacted both sides of the border.

A US official told ABC News that Nasrallah and several associates were in Beirut for a brief visit during the strike.

Attack

On 27 September 2024, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted an airstrike on Hezbollah's central headquarters located in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, in the Dahieh suburb of Beirut. Media reports confirmed that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was the intended target of the airstrike. The strike was conducted by the 119th "Bat" Squadron, utilizing F-16I Sufa jet-fighters that dropped several tons of munitions.

The strike occurred shortly after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations' General Assembly, and vowed that Israel's campaign against Hezbollah would continue. The IDF employed advanced U.S.-made 5,000-pound (2,300 kg) bunker buster bombs that were created in 2021.

There was no immediate information on casualties in the strike. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that the target was Hezbollah's main headquarters, located beneath residential buildings. Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported that four buildings were reduced to rubble as a result of the explosion, which was so powerful that tremors were felt up to 30 kilometers north of Beirut. Ambulances were seen heading to the scene, accompanied by wailing sirens. According to the state owned National News Agency, the raids were a belt of fire that extended from the outskirts of Bourj el-Barajneh, reaching Haret Hreik. Footage taken shortly after the explosion revealed a large crater.

Aftermath

Death of Hassan Nasrallah

On 28 September 2024, Hassan Nasrallah was confirmed dead in an official Hezbollah statement. The announcement came a day after the attack was reported. Prior to the announcement by Hezbollah, Nasrallah's condition initially remained uncertain. The IDF claimed to have killed the target in the strike, although the claims remained unverified until the official confirmation by Hezbollah.

Other casualties

The area struck by Israel is known to be very densely populated. The impacted area consisted of civilian apartment buildings built over subterranean Hezbollah facilities; several structures were completely reduced to rubble and widespread destruction could be seen in the aftermath of the strike. Initial estimates from Israeli defense officials suggest that around 300 people were killed, potentially including Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah and his daughter. Reports from the Lebanese health ministry recorded at least six fatalities and 91 injuries as of 28 September, though most of the rubble has not been searched yet, and the number is almost certain to rise.

Responses

Hezbollah

Hezbollah stated in a message that it would continue its fight against Israel. After the announcement of Nasrallah's death, the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV aired Quran verses.

Iran

According to The New York Times, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council at his residence. Officials told Reuters that Khamenei had been moved to a secure location in Iran under increased security measures. In response to the IDF's announcement of Nasrallah's assassination, Khamenei issued a statement urging Muslims to support Hezbollah and the people of Lebanon, calling them "to stand by the people of Lebanon and the proud Hezbollah with whatever means they have and assist them in confronting the ... wicked regime (of Israel)." Iranian state media reported that he also asserted, "the fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront."

Israel

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that "This is not the end of our toolbox," adding that "those who threaten the citizens of the State of Israel – we will know how to reach them – in the North, in the South, and even in more distant places."

See also

• Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh
• 20 September 2024 Beirut attack
• September 2024 Lebanon strikes

Notes

References

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• Current events from September 2024
• September 2024 events in Lebanon
• Military history of Beirut
• 2024 airstrikes
• 2024 building bombings
• 2020s in Beirut
• Airstrikes in Lebanon
• Airstrikes conducted by Israel
• Assassinations in Lebanon
• Attacks on buildings and structures in Beirut
• Building bombings in Lebanon
• Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)