In a significant and targeted strike on Friday, September 27th, Israel successfully assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, ending his 32-year reign over the Lebanon-based militant group. This operation, codenamed ‘New Order,’ marked the culmination of years of intelligence gathering and strategic planning by the Israeli military.
Nasrallah, known for his elusive nature and successful avoidance of multiple assassination attempts, was reportedly killed at the group’s command headquarters in southern Beirut, a heavily fortified underground complex. The attack came after a series of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, sparked by Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023.
Israel’s offensive intensified in September, with attacks on Hezbollah communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, which were allegedly booby-trapped by the Israeli military intelligence agency Mossad. These operations, according to experts, demonstrated the effectiveness of Israel’s sophisticated intelligence capabilities in penetrating Hezbollah’s communication networks.
The precision strike that eliminated Nasrallah, however, was the result of years of meticulous tracking and intelligence gathering. According to multiple sources, including The New York Times, Israel had been aware of Nasrallah’s whereabouts for several months and had identified a limited window of opportunity to carry out the attack before he could relocate.
The decisive intel that led to the strike was reportedly provided by an Iranian mole, who revealed Nasrallah’s presence at the underground headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh. The source informed Israeli officials that Nasrallah was meeting with senior Hezbollah members to plan further attacks on Israel. This intelligence enabled Israel to launch the devastating airstrike with surgical precision.
The attack involved multiple F15 jets, armed with 2000-pound (900 kg) bombs, including the US-made BLU-109 with a JDAM kit, a precision guidance system. The bombers, briefed on the target only hours before takeoff, dropped a series of timed explosives that penetrated the underground bunker, creating craters up to 16 feet across. The aftermath of the attack saw a thick cloud of orange smoke engulfing Beirut.
Nasrallah’s death represents a significant victory for Israel and a major setback for Hezbollah. The militant group has suffered a devastating blow to its leadership and is now facing a critical period of uncertainty. The assassination also highlights Israel’s relentless pursuit of its enemies and its sophisticated intelligence capabilities. As the Israeli military continues its offensive in Lebanon, the world observes closely to see if Israel will further escalate operations, particularly regarding the threat of Hezbollah along the northern border.
With inputs from agencies.
