Official announcements from the U.S. State Department or Lebanese government

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed in Israeli Airstrike on War Operations Room in Beirut's Southern Suburbs

Jan 5, 2025, 01:43 PM

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2023, while inside the militant group's war operations room in Beirut's southern suburbs, according to new details disclosed by a senior Hezbollah official, Wafiq Safa. The airstrike, which destroyed several buildings, resulted in the deaths of six people, including Nasrallah, who was meeting underground with other senior officials. His assassination escalated the conflict into a full-scale war that devastated parts of southern and eastern Lebanon for two months until a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2023. Under the 60-day ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah is required to move its fighters, weapons, and infrastructure north of the Litani River, while Israeli troops must withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days. The Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers are to be the sole armed presence in the area. Tensions remain high, with Hezbollah criticizing Israel for ongoing strikes and overflights, and Israel accusing the Lebanese military of failing to dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure. Hezbollah's current leader, Naim Kassem, has warned of potential strikes against Israel if its troops do not fully withdraw by the end of the month. Safa mentioned that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who negotiated the ceasefire with Washington, informed Hezbollah of an upcoming meeting with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein to assess the situation.