On Friday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a precise strike targeting Hezbollah’s central headquarters in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh in Beirut, Lebanon. The attack resulted in the destruction of six buildings and left numerous casualties, marking one of the most significant military actions in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a precise strike on the Central headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organisation… taking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely,” IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated in a televised address following the strike.
The targeted buildings in Beirut’s Harek Hreik district have long been associated with Hezbollah’s operational base. According to several media reports, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was said to have been in the area at the time of the attack, leading to widespread speculation that he was the intended target.
Nasrallah’s Condition Confirmed After Strike
Following the strike, conflicting reports emerged regarding Hassan Nasrallah’s condition. A source close to Hezbollah informed Reuters that Nasrallah is “fine” and was not harmed in the attack. The source also denied reports that Nasrallah was directly targeted by the strike. Furthermore, a senior Iranian security official confirmed that Tehran is verifying Nasrallah’s status to ensure his safety.
While Hezbollah has not officially released a statement regarding Nasrallah’s condition, his survival is seen as critical to the militant group’s continued operations in Lebanon and its role in the broader Middle East conflict.
Who Is Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah has been the Secretary-General of Hezbollah since February 1992, following the assassination of his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi by Israeli forces. Born on August 31, 1960, in the impoverished suburb of Burj Hammud in Beirut, Nasrallah grew up in a large Shia family, the son of a grocer with eight siblings. He pursued religious studies from an early age and eventually joined the Amal Movement, a Shia political and paramilitary group.
Nasrallah played a pivotal role in the founding of Hezbollah in the 1980s, following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. The group was established with the assistance of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who arrived in Lebanon to support the resistance against Israeli forces. In 1985, Hezbollah officially declared itself in an open letter, identifying the United States and Israel as Islam’s main enemies and calling for the “obliteration” of Israel, accusing it of occupying Muslim territories.
Nasrallah’s leadership has significantly shaped Hezbollah's role as Israel’s foremost military adversary. A gifted public speaker, he has delivered numerous speeches over the years, often recorded and broadcast from secret locations due to security concerns. In a 2014 interview with Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Nasrallah said, "The point of security measures is that movement be kept secret, but that doesn't stop me from moving around and seeing what is happening."
Despite claims that he lived in a bunker, Nasrallah denied the reports, though tight security measures have made it nearly impossible for officials or journalists to know his whereabouts during meetings with him. His eldest son, Hadi, was killed by Israeli forces in 1997 while fighting for Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s Role in the Israel-Lebanon Conflict
Hezbollah was formed in response to Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon and has become a key player in the resistance against Israeli forces. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, the group played a critical role in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, ending an 18-year occupation. Nasrallah declared the withdrawal as a “divine victory,” further cementing Hezbollah’s influence in the region.
In 2006, Hezbollah engaged Israel in a 34-day war that resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Despite the conflict ending in a stalemate, Nasrallah called it a victory for Hezbollah, as Israeli forces were unable to achieve a decisive outcome. Since then, Hezbollah has continued to grow its military capabilities, with support from Iran, making it one of the most powerful non-state actors in the Middle East.
Hezbollah’s Support for the Palestinian Cause
Throughout his leadership, Nasrallah has consistently expressed support for the Palestinian cause. Hezbollah’s involvement in the recent Israel-Hamas conflict has seen the group launch attacks on Israeli military posts along the Lebanese border, labeling the operations as part of a “backup front” for Gaza.
“We are here paying the price for our front of support for Gaza, and for the Palestinian people, and our adoption of the Palestinian cause,” Nasrallah said in a speech on August 1. Hezbollah has positioned itself as a defender of Palestinian interests, with Nasrallah stating that the group’s cross-border strikes have diverted Israeli forces away from Gaza.
Escalating Tensions Between Hezbollah and Israel
As tensions have escalated in recent weeks, Israel announced a new phase in its military operations, aimed at pushing Hezbollah back from the border. The strikes have targeted key Hezbollah commanders, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. Israeli forces also destroyed critical communications devices used by Hezbollah, including pagers, further weakening the group’s operations.
This recent escalation, marked by the airstrike on Hezbollah’s headquarters, signals that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is far from over. As thousands of Israelis remain displaced from the northern regions, Israel has intensified its efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence near the border.
The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is expected to continue, with no immediate signs of a ceasefire. Nasrallah’s survival following the Israeli strike underscores Hezbollah’s resilience, but also highlights the group’s vulnerability as it faces increased pressure from Israel. Both sides remain locked in a protracted conflict, with Hezbollah determined to maintain its role as a key resistance force in the region.
(With inputs from Agencies)
“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a precise strike on the Central headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organisation… taking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely,” IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated in a televised address following the strike.
The targeted buildings in Beirut’s Harek Hreik district have long been associated with Hezbollah’s operational base. According to several media reports, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was said to have been in the area at the time of the attack, leading to widespread speculation that he was the intended target.
Nasrallah’s Condition Confirmed After Strike
Following the strike, conflicting reports emerged regarding Hassan Nasrallah’s condition. A source close to Hezbollah informed Reuters that Nasrallah is “fine” and was not harmed in the attack. The source also denied reports that Nasrallah was directly targeted by the strike. Furthermore, a senior Iranian security official confirmed that Tehran is verifying Nasrallah’s status to ensure his safety.
While Hezbollah has not officially released a statement regarding Nasrallah’s condition, his survival is seen as critical to the militant group’s continued operations in Lebanon and its role in the broader Middle East conflict.
Who Is Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah has been the Secretary-General of Hezbollah since February 1992, following the assassination of his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi by Israeli forces. Born on August 31, 1960, in the impoverished suburb of Burj Hammud in Beirut, Nasrallah grew up in a large Shia family, the son of a grocer with eight siblings. He pursued religious studies from an early age and eventually joined the Amal Movement, a Shia political and paramilitary group.
Nasrallah played a pivotal role in the founding of Hezbollah in the 1980s, following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. The group was established with the assistance of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who arrived in Lebanon to support the resistance against Israeli forces. In 1985, Hezbollah officially declared itself in an open letter, identifying the United States and Israel as Islam’s main enemies and calling for the “obliteration” of Israel, accusing it of occupying Muslim territories.
Nasrallah’s leadership has significantly shaped Hezbollah's role as Israel’s foremost military adversary. A gifted public speaker, he has delivered numerous speeches over the years, often recorded and broadcast from secret locations due to security concerns. In a 2014 interview with Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Nasrallah said, "The point of security measures is that movement be kept secret, but that doesn't stop me from moving around and seeing what is happening."
Despite claims that he lived in a bunker, Nasrallah denied the reports, though tight security measures have made it nearly impossible for officials or journalists to know his whereabouts during meetings with him. His eldest son, Hadi, was killed by Israeli forces in 1997 while fighting for Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s Role in the Israel-Lebanon Conflict
Hezbollah was formed in response to Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon and has become a key player in the resistance against Israeli forces. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, the group played a critical role in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, ending an 18-year occupation. Nasrallah declared the withdrawal as a “divine victory,” further cementing Hezbollah’s influence in the region.
In 2006, Hezbollah engaged Israel in a 34-day war that resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. Despite the conflict ending in a stalemate, Nasrallah called it a victory for Hezbollah, as Israeli forces were unable to achieve a decisive outcome. Since then, Hezbollah has continued to grow its military capabilities, with support from Iran, making it one of the most powerful non-state actors in the Middle East.
Hezbollah’s Support for the Palestinian Cause
Throughout his leadership, Nasrallah has consistently expressed support for the Palestinian cause. Hezbollah’s involvement in the recent Israel-Hamas conflict has seen the group launch attacks on Israeli military posts along the Lebanese border, labeling the operations as part of a “backup front” for Gaza.
“We are here paying the price for our front of support for Gaza, and for the Palestinian people, and our adoption of the Palestinian cause,” Nasrallah said in a speech on August 1. Hezbollah has positioned itself as a defender of Palestinian interests, with Nasrallah stating that the group’s cross-border strikes have diverted Israeli forces away from Gaza.
Escalating Tensions Between Hezbollah and Israel
As tensions have escalated in recent weeks, Israel announced a new phase in its military operations, aimed at pushing Hezbollah back from the border. The strikes have targeted key Hezbollah commanders, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. Israeli forces also destroyed critical communications devices used by Hezbollah, including pagers, further weakening the group’s operations.
This recent escalation, marked by the airstrike on Hezbollah’s headquarters, signals that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is far from over. As thousands of Israelis remain displaced from the northern regions, Israel has intensified its efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence near the border.
The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is expected to continue, with no immediate signs of a ceasefire. Nasrallah’s survival following the Israeli strike underscores Hezbollah’s resilience, but also highlights the group’s vulnerability as it faces increased pressure from Israel. Both sides remain locked in a protracted conflict, with Hezbollah determined to maintain its role as a key resistance force in the region.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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