Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah on Saturday confirmed that its leader and one of its founders, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has been killed in airstrikes launched by Israel on Friday in Lebanon’s Beirut. The militant group’s announcement comes hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of Nasrallah, saying “he will no longer be able to terrorise the world.”
In a statement, the militant group pledged to continue its battle against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people”.
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV started airing Quran verses after the announcement of Nasrallah’s death, reported news agency Reuters.
Countries Declare Mourning:
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning following the death of Nasrallah, reported Iran International.
Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani has also declared three days of mourning in the country. Additionally, Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr also declared three days of mourning.
In a post on X, al-Sadr expressed his grief and said, “You lived with pride and went as a proud martyr, you and those with you.”
Additionally, Syria also announced three days of public mourning due to the death of Nasrallah.
Full Statement Of Hezbollah On Nasrallah’s Death:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
“Let those who would sacrifice this life for the Hereafter fight in the cause of Allah. And whoever fights in Allah’s cause—whether they achieve martyrdom or victory—We will honor them with a great reward.”
This is the truth of Allah, the Most High, the Almighty.
His Eminence, the Master of Resistance, the righteous servant, has moved to the side of his Lord and to His satisfaction as a great martyr, a heroic, bold, brave, wise, insightful, and faithful leader, joining the convoy of martyrs of the eternal, luminous martyrs of Karbala in the divine, faithful journey in the footsteps of the prophets and martyr Imams.
His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, has joined his great, immortal martyr comrades whose path he led for nearly thirty years, guiding them from victory to victory. He succeeded the Master of Martyrs of the Islamic Resistance in 1992 until the liberation of Lebanon in 2000 and to the glorious divine victory in 2006 and all the battles of honor and sacrifice, arriving at the battle of support and heroism in support of Palestine, Gaza, and the oppressed Palestinian people.
We offer our condolences to the Master of the Age (may Allah hasten his reappearance), the Guardian of the Muslims, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei, may his shadow endure, the esteemed scholars, the fighters, the believers, the nation of resistance, our patient and struggling Lebanese people, the entire Islamic nation, all the free and oppressed people in the world, and his honorable and patient family.
We congratulate His Eminence, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, may Allah be pleased with him, on receiving the highest divine medals, the medal of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), fulfilling his most precious wishes and the highest ranks of faith and pure belief, as a martyr on the path to Al-Quds and Palestine. We also offer our condolences and congratulations to his fellow martyrs who joined his pure and sacred procession following the treacherous zionist raid on the southern suburb.
The leadership of Hezbollah pledges to the most exalted, sacred, and precious martyr in our journey, full of sacrifices and martyrs, to continue its jihad in confronting the enemy, supporting Gaza and Palestine, and defending Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.
To the honorable fighters and the victorious and triumphant heroes of the Islamic Resistance, you are the trust of the martyred Sayyed, his brothers who were his fortified shield and the crown jewel of heroism and sacrifice. Our leader, His Eminence, the Sayyed, remains among us with his thought, spirit, path, and sacred approach. You remain bound to the covenant of loyalty and commitment to resistance and sacrifice until victory.
Palestinian group Hamas also reacted to Hezbollah’s chief death and said that the killing of Nasrallah will only “strengthen the resistance” against Israel.
IDF Claimed Nasrallah Dead
The Israeli military said in a statement that Nasrallah was eliminated in a “targeted strike” on the group’s underground headquarters under a residential building in Dahiyeh – a Hezbollah-controlled southern suburb of Beirut.
Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, revealed that the strike, occurred on Friday at Hezbollah’s central command in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut, had been in preparation for a long time and marked one of the most significant blows against Hezbollah. “This is not the end of our toolbox,” Halevi stated, suggesting that more actions are planned.
Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant further vowed that Israel won’t stop in eliminating the terrorists.
פעולת הסיכול של חסן נסראללה היא אחת מהחשובות בתולדות ישראל – אנחנו לא עוצרים: pic.twitter.com/OnJYJ7DKos— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 28, 2024
The State of Israel has eliminated Hassan Nasrallah – the leader of Hezbollah.He was the murderer of thousands of Israelis and foreign citizens.He was an immediate threat to the lives of thousands of Israelis and other citizens.To our enemies I say: we are strong and… pic.twitter.com/s3OfVk4tCX
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 28, 2024
Read More: Who Was Hassan Nasrallah? The Hezbollah Leader Killed In Israeli Strikes In Beirut
It said he was killed along with another top Hezbollah leader – Ali Karaki – and other commanders.
“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,” it said.
A source close to Hezbollah has also confirmed that the group’s commander in south Lebanon, Ali Karake, was killed in the Israeli strike, reported news outlet Al Arabiya.
Iran Reacts
Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed grief over the killing of Nasrallah and said that “martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah will strengthen ‘tree of resistance’,” reported Iran based PressTV.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a statement over the killing of Hezbollah leader saying that the zionist criminals (referring to Israel) are too small to cause damage to Hezbollah.In X posts, Khamenei said, “Zionist criminals should know that they are too small to cause significant damage to the strong structure of Hezbollah in Lebanon. All the resistance forces in the region are standing by Hezbollah and support it.”
“The killing of defenseless people in Lebanon once again revealed to everyone the ferocity of the Zionist rabid dog, and on the other hand, it proved the short-sightedness and stupid policy of the leaders of the usurping regime. The terror squad ruling the Zionist regime did not learn from their one-year criminal war in Gaza and failed to understand that the mass killing of women, children and civilians cannot affect the strong structure of the resistance and destroy it,” he said.
Read More: ‘Zionists Too Small To Damage Hezbollah’: Khamenei’s Message To Israel After Nasrallah’s Death
He also urged all the Muslims to support the people of Lebanon by offering assistance and resources to Hezbollah.
Some reports have claimed that Khamenei has been relocated to a secure location inside the country with tightened security measures in place. The sources claimed that Iran was in constant contact with Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other regional allies to determine the next plan of action.
Meanwhile, Iran Air has suspended the flights to Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut until further notice in wake of the rising tensions.
(With inputs from agencies)
Read More: Lebanon’s Hezbollah Confirms Chief Hassan Nasrallah Killed In Israeli Airstrike – News18
