Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly died in a dramatic and gruesome manner during an Israeli airstrike on September 27, according to a report by Israeli news outlet Channel 12. Nasrallah is believed to have suffocated from toxic gases inside his secret bunker in southern Beirut after it was struck by 80 tons of “bunker-busting” bombs, launched by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Initial reports indicate that when Nasrallah’s body was discovered, he had no visible external wounds, suggesting that he may have been buried under rubble and suffocated as toxic gas filled the space around him. The airstrike caused the destruction of his underground hideout, and while the initial blast didn’t appear to be the cause of death, it’s believed that asphyxiation led to a painful and agonizing end for the Hezbollah leader.
Medical and security personnel who recovered Nasrallah’s body from the wreckage said blunt trauma from the explosions was also a contributing factor. He had been preparing for a meeting with Hezbollah leadership when the airstrike hit. His body was transported to a nearby hospital for further examination.
The airstrike, described as a calculated and decisive operation, was carried out by the IDF with intelligence pinpointing Nasrallah’s underground command center in Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in New York at the time, hailed the operation as necessary and described it as a “historic turning point” in the region.
U.S. President Joe Biden also commended the airstrike, calling it a “measure of justice” for those impacted by Hezbollah’s actions over the years.
In the wake of Nasrallah’s death, acting Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has vowed retaliation, promising retribution for the airstrike and ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon.
Who Was Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah, 64, was the leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant group considered a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including Israel and the United States. Nasrallah played a central role in the 2006 Lebanon War against Israel, solidifying his position as a prominent resistance figure in the Arab world.
During his tenure, Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah from a guerrilla group focused on resisting Israeli occupation into a significant political force in Lebanon, with representation in the Lebanese Parliament and participation in government coalitions. Nasrallah also played a key role in regional politics, supporting the Assad regime during the Syrian Civil War.
Sources By Agencies
