Israel has confirmed that it carried out a precision airstrike on Friday that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, following real-time intelligence on a high-level meeting of the group’s senior commanders. The operation, codenamed "New Order," targeted Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in southern Beirut, where Nasrallah and top Hezbollah figures were planning further attacks against Israel.
The airstrike, one of the most significant actions taken against Hezbollah in recent years, comes after weeks of escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group. Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters on Saturday that the strike was a carefully planned operation made possible by precise intelligence and operational timing.
Strategic Targeting of Hezbollah Leadership
Shoshani revealed that Israel had been gathering intelligence on Nasrallah for years, anticipating that he would eventually attempt to escalate conflict along Israel's northern border. "We had real-time information, an operational opportunity, and we acted," Shoshani said.
The strike followed a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly, where he warned that Israel would not tolerate Hezbollah’s military presence on its borders. Hours later, Israeli forces executed the strike that took out Nasrallah and several other high-ranking commanders, including Ali Karaki, the head of Hezbollah's southern front.
Details of the Operation
According to the Israeli military, the air force squadron tasked with the mission was only informed of the target shortly before taking off. "The pilots were exposed to the target just hours before executing the strike," said an Israeli air force officer, Lieutenant Colonel M. The strike hit within seconds, using heavy munitions to ensure complete destruction of the Hezbollah leadership’s underground bunker.
Brigadier General Amichai Levin, commander of Hatzerim air base, confirmed that dozens of munitions were used in the operation. While Israeli officials declined to confirm if U.S.-made Mark 84 bombs were deployed, the scale of destruction suggests the use of highly powerful munitions.
Hezbollah Vows Retaliation
Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death but vowed to continue its fight against Israel, declaring that its military campaign is "in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon." Since the beginning of the conflict, Hezbollah has launched daily rocket attacks into northern Israel, resulting in mass evacuations and widespread damage on both sides of the border.
In recent weeks, Israel has systematically targeted Hezbollah’s top military leadership, severely weakening its operational capabilities. However, Hezbollah remains defiant, pledging that Nasrallah's death will not halt its military operations.
The region now braces for further escalation as tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and other regional actors continue to intensify.
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