In a significant development, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has emerged unscathed from an Israeli airstrike that targeted the group’s central headquarters in Beirut on Friday. This news comes as a direct contradiction to claims made by Israeli officials, who had expressed doubt about Nasrallah’s survival following the attack.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) carried out the ‘precise’ strike, aiming to eliminate the Hezbollah leader. An Israeli official, speaking to The Jerusalem Post, had stated, “Hard to believe he [Nasrallah] got out of it alive.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the strike before addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
However, a source close to Nasrallah confirmed the leader’s safety, dismissing reports of his demise. This revelation throws into question the effectiveness of the Israeli airstrike and raises doubts about the IDF’s assessment of the situation.
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah since February 1992, has been a key figure in the group’s operations. He succeeded Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by Israel in 1992. Despite his prominence, Nasrallah’s whereabouts are rarely known, as he maintains a high level of security. Most of his speeches are recorded and broadcast from secret locations.
Nasrallah’s survival highlights the challenge faced by Israel in targeting key individuals within Hezbollah, a group known for its sophisticated underground infrastructure and ability to evade attacks. This incident is likely to further escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with potential implications for regional stability in the Middle East.
