In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu declared that killing Nasrallah was an “essential condition” for Israel to achieve its war goals. He likened the situation to self-defense, stating, “If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first.”
Netanyahu asserted that Israel had “settled accounts” with Nasrallah, whom he blamed for numerous attacks on Israelis and citizens of other nations, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French. He described Nasrallah’s “elimination” as a necessary step towards achieving Israel’s objectives and vowed to continue attacking Iranian-backed Hezbollah until the safety of northern Israeli residents could be guaranteed. He also claimed that Nasrallah’s death would facilitate the return of Israeli hostages held in the south.
Netanyahu emphasized the strategic importance of Nasrallah’s assassination, stating, “As long as Nasrallah was alive, he would have quickly rebuilt the capabilities we took from Hezbollah. Therefore, I gave the directive – and Nasrallah is no longer with us.”
News of Nasrallah’s death, confirmed by Hezbollah, has sent shockwaves through the region. Israel’s targeted killing is considered one of the most significant and consequential in years, further escalating the already volatile situation.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, Israel’s primary regional rival, has vowed revenge. The Palestinian militant group Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah, also expressed condolences and declared that assassinations would only strengthen resistance in Lebanon and Palestine. Iran’s supreme leader declared five days of public mourning for Nasrallah, who he described as the “flag-bearer of resistance.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also called for a “crushing response” to the assassination.
Iran’s UN Ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to the UN Security Council demanding an emergency meeting. He accused Israel of using “US-supplied thousand-pound bunker busters” to kill Nasrallah and other Iranian officials, including Gen. Abbas Nilforushan. He warned Israel not to attack any Iranian diplomatic or consular premises or personnel. “Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent rights under international law to take every measure in defense of its vital national and security interests,” Iravani wrote.
US President Joe Biden, while acknowledging the loss of life and stating the US fully supported Israel’s right to self-defense, called for a ceasefire, suggesting an Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon was not inevitable.
