The Israeli navy introduced on Sunday that the airstrike liable for the demise of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut earlier this week additionally resulted within the elimination of greater than 20 further members of the Lebanese armed group.
“Greater than 20 different terrorists of various ranks, who have been current on the underground headquarters in Beirut positioned beneath civilian buildings, and have been managing Hezbollah’s terrorist operations towards the state of Israel, have been additionally eradicated,” the navy stated, offering an inventory of a number of the people.
Listed here are the most recent developments from the Israel-Hezbollah battle:
Former Hezbollah chief Nasrallah’s physique recovered ‘intact’
The stays of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah have been discovered on the location of an Israeli air strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. Information company Reuters reported that his physique was recovered intact.
The Israeli navy on Friday struck a number of bunkers of Hezbollah inside Lebanon, confirming the demise of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, a declare later verified by the Lebanese militant group.
Whereas Hezbollah’s assertion on Saturday confirming Nasrallah’s demise didn’t say how precisely he was killed nor when his funeral could be, the sources indicated that Nasrallah’s physique confirmed no indicators of direct wounds. They prompt that the seemingly reason for demise was blunt trauma ensuing from the power of the explosion.
A press release launched by Hezbollah on Saturday stated Nasrallah “has joined his fellow martyrs.” Hezbollah vowed to “proceed the holy conflict towards the enemy and in assist of Palestine.”
The assault reportedly concerned round 85 “bunker-buster” bombs, designed to penetrate deep underground earlier than exploding. Bunker Buster bombs, also referred to as floor penetration munitions, are heavyweight weapons starting from 2,000 to 4,000 kilos. These bombs are designed to penetrate deep into the earth or by means of strengthened concrete buildings.
Using Bunker Buster bombs in areas with excessive inhabitants density is prohibited below the Geneva Conference, as a result of excessive danger of civilian casualties.
Israel’s ‘exact’ strike
Nasrallah, who had been on the helm of Hezbollah for over three many years, is probably the most vital goal to be eradicated by Israel through the current escalation of hostilities with the group. The Israeli navy stated that it executed a exact airstrike on Friday, whereas Hezbollah’s management was convening at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, positioned within the southern a part of Beirut.
The Lebanese well being ministry stated six individuals have been killed and 91 injured within the Beirut strikes, which leveled six condominium buildings.
Israel tracked Nasrallah for months
Israel had identified about Nasrallah’s location for months earlier than launching the deadly strike, New York Instances quoted three Israeli officers as saying. The choice to strike Nasrallah was made lately, with out informing the US. Jerusalem feared that the window of alternative to get rid of him would shut.
Hashem Safieddine, a relative of Nasrallah and a possible future chief, was not current on the bunker in Beirut that was focused, based on three officers.
Excessive-ranking officers from the Israeli Air Drive reported on Saturday that the operation was carried out flawlessly, with none errors or hostile hearth directed at their plane.
“Every part we deliberate was executed exactly, with no errors, each in intelligence, the planning, with the planes, and the operation itself. Every part went easy,” stated the commanding officer of the Israeli Air Drive’s 69th squadron whereas chatting with journalists.
US backs Israel
US President Joe Biden referred to the Israeli airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah, as a “measure of justice” for his decades-long marketing campaign of terror.
The president identified that the operation towards Nasrallah occurred throughout the wider context of the battle that was initiated by Hamas’ killing of Israelis on October 7, 2023. Biden stated, “Nasrallah, the subsequent day, made the fateful choice to hitch palms with Hamas and open what he referred to as a ‘northern entrance’ towards Israel.”
Iran requires UNSC assembly
In a letter addressed to the United Nations Safety Council, Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani referred to as for an pressing assembly of the council’s 15 members to debate Israel’s current actions in Lebanon and the encompassing area, notably in mild of the killing of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly warns towards any assault on its diplomatic premises and representatives in violation of the foundational precept of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and reiterates that it’ll not tolerate any repeat of such aggression”, the ambassador stated.
Furthermore, Iravani asserted Iran’s readiness to take all mandatory measures to guard its essential nationwide and safety pursuits. In his letter, he wrote, “Iran won’t hesitate to train its inherent rights below worldwide regulation to take each measure in defence of its important nationwide and safety pursuits.”
Israel vows to maintain up assaults on Hezbollah
Israel introduced on Sunday that it was conducting contemporary air strikes towards quite a few Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon, following the assassination of the group’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, who was backed by Iran.
The Israeli navy said that it had “attacked dozens of terrorist targets within the territory of Lebanon in the previous few hours,” specializing in services housing weapons and navy infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah.
Since Saturday, the Israeli navy has claimed to have struck tons of of Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon, with the purpose of crippling the group’s navy capabilities and infrastructure.
Israel’s chief of workers, Lt gen. Herzi Halevi, stated that the killing of Nasrallah was “not the tip of our toolbox”.
