Hassan Nasrallah killed in Israeli airstrikes

New Delhi, Sep 28: Hezbollah has officially confirmed the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, following Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.

Nasrallah, a prominent figure in West Asia who had not appeared in public for years due to assassination fears, was widely recognised as one of the region’s most influential leaders.

His death marks a major turning point in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

For over 30 years, Nasrallah led Hezbollah, transforming it into a powerful militant organisation with the backing of Iran.

Under his leadership, Hezbollah became a force that successfully pushed Israel to end its two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000.

Nasrallah also played a key role during the 2006 war with Israel, which ended in a stalemate.

His legacy includes being Israel’s most formidable opponent, as the media compared him with only Hamas' Yahya Sinwar, the architect of last October’s attack on Israel, coming close in recent years.

In Israel, Nasrallah’s death is being hailed as a victory.

The Israeli military has been preparing for renewed conflict with Hezbollah since the 2006 war, and fears of retaliatory strikes by Hezbollah or Iran-backed groups are rising, potentially escalating the conflict even further.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue to pound southern Beirut, with thick plumes of smoke rising from Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold.

On Friday, Israeli forces launched attacks on targets in the Bekaa Valley after detecting rocket fire from Lebanon.

Lebanese officials reported seven deaths and around 100 injuries from airstrikes on the same day, with the total number of Lebanese casualties since the beginning of the bombing campaign now nearing 800.

Beirut, Lebanon's capital, remains under siege as waves of displaced families from southern Beirut and surrounding areas seek refuge in the city centre.

The relentless airstrikes, which have devastated residential areas, have left many stranded on the streets.

The attacks, described as “unprecedented”, have led to widespread destruction and civilian casualties.

Israel’s military campaign, which began in Gaza nearly a year ago, has since expanded into Lebanon, displacing thousands. Despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel has escalated its bombing operations, continuing to warn civilians to evacuate targeted areas via social media platforms like X.

Many residents describe Beirut as resembling Gaza, with constant drone activity and ambulance sirens filling the air.

The Israeli military has also confirmed the deaths of Muhammad Ali Ismail, Hezbollah’s missile unit commander, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, in an earlier strike.

Several senior Hezbollah leaders have been killed since the airstrikes began.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the United Nations, on Friday reiterated Israel's pledge to defeat Hezbollah and vowed to continue military operations until Israel's security objectives are met.

He promised to ensure the return of the 70,000 Israelis displaced by the conflict in the country’s northern region.

Netanyahu has since cut short his visit to New York to return to Israel.

In response to the escalating conflict, US President Joe Biden has directed the Pentagon to reassess American military deployments in West Asia.

Several countries, including the US, UK, France, and India, have issued travel advisories for Lebanon, urging their citizens to take necessary precautions and providing emergency contact information.

Massive midnight explosions rock Beirut, thousands displaced

Beirut, the capital of Lebanon has been rocked by a series of explosions as Israeli airstrikes intensify, targeting residential areas in southern Lebanon.

Displaced families from Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut, and nearby towns have flooded into the city centre, seeking refuge. Many were forced to leave their homes with little to no notice and are now stranded on the streets, with no place to go.

Images and videos from Beirut’s downtown area and its iconic seaside streets show displaced families camped out, many with no idea of what comes next.

The airstrikes, which hit half a dozen residential buildings in the southern parts of the city, have been described as "unprecedented."

Civilians are among the casualties, as rescuers continue to dig through the rubble.

Israel’s military campaign, which began in Gaza nearly a year ago, has expanded to Beirut and several other cities of Lebanon, displacing thousands in the process.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel has intensified its bombing campaign, which has killed hundreds in Lebanon since Monday according to Lebanon officials.

Malicious enemy will regret its actions: Iran’s Supreme Leader

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a safe and secure location after Israel confirmed on Saturday that it had eliminated Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah.

Khamenei, 85, a former President of the country who took over the role as the country's 'Supreme Leader' in 1989, has fully backed Hezbollah and Hamas over the last many decades.

"All the resistance forces in the region stand with and support Hezbollah. The resistance forces will determine the fate of this region with the honourable Hezbollah leading the way," a statement issued by Khamenei's account on X said Saturday afternoon which was his first reaction to Israel's overnight attack on Lebanon.

Without commenting on Nasrallah's fate, he also said that Friday's strikes would not be able to inflict any significant damage on the "solid structure" of Lebanon's Hezbollah.

"The Lebanese haven't forgotten there was a time when the soldiers of the occupying regime were advancing toward Beirut and Hezbollah stopped them and made Lebanon proud. Today too, by the grace and power of God, Lebanon will make the transgressing, malicious enemy regret its actions," he added.

The reports of Khamenei being moved to a secure location within the country came as Israel vowed to continue its operation "New Order" to eliminate leaders of Hezbollah and other such organisations.

"This is not the end of the toolbox, it should be very clear. There are more tools to go forward. The message is simple: whoever threatens the citizens of the State of Israel - we will know how to reach them. In the north, in the south, even in more distant places," said Israeli Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi on Saturday.