Israel Broadcasting Caption "Nasrallah Elimination"
Iran Media Reports "Healthy"
On the afternoon of the 27th (local time), the Israeli military conducted a precision airstrike on the Hezbollah headquarters located in Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, drawing attention to the life or death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel claims that "Nasrallah died in this attack," but Iranian media supporting Hezbollah reported that "he is healthy," resulting in sharply conflicting claims from both sides.
The Israeli military announced that it bombed the Hezbollah headquarters beneath a residential building in Dahieh on that day. Foreign media such as CNN reported that the Israeli military used F-35 fighter jets and U.S.-made bunker buster bombs to carry out at least 10 airstrikes, causing six buildings to collapse and resulting in at least two deaths and 76 injuries.
On the 28th (local time), flames and smoke rose from the southern area of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, due to an airstrike by the Israeli military. [Photo by AP Yonhap News]
An Israeli official told the Times of Israel, "It is hard to imagine Nasrallah surviving such an airstrike," emphasizing the possibility that he has died. Another Israeli media outlet, Channel 12, also stated in a broadcast subtitle that "Nasrallah has been eliminated."
On the other hand, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that "Nasrallah is in good health" and that "no high-ranking Hezbollah leaders were martyred in this airstrike." Hezbollah receives support from Iran. Additionally, Iran's state-run Press TV said, "Nasrallah is in a safe place" and "was not affected by the Israeli airstrike."
Nasrallah, 64 years old this year, was born in a refugee camp east of Beirut, Lebanon, in 1960. During his childhood, he developed an interest in Islam and immersed himself in religious studies. At age 22, in response to the outbreak of the Lebanon War triggered by Israel's 1982 invasion, he joined the Hezbollah organization. Growing into a military commander, he succeeded Abbas al-Musawi, the then Hezbollah Secretary-General and founder who was assassinated by Israel in 1992, becoming the leader of Hezbollah. When the Israeli military decided to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000, Nasrallah's position became even more solidified. Under his leadership, Hezbollah, along with Iran, supported the Syrian government forces during the Syrian civil war that began in 2011. Hezbollah has not officially commented on this attack or Nasrallah's life status.
As tensions escalated due to this airstrike, various countries have issued evacuation orders for their nationals residing in Lebanon. On the 27th (local time), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a statement saying, "British nationals in Lebanon should leave now. Take the next available flight." It added, "We are working to ensure more British nationals can board flights leaving Lebanon." Currently, about 5,000 British citizens are in Lebanon.
The Canadian government is securing airline tickets for the evacuation of its nationals. Canadian Foreign Minister M?lanie Joly said, "With commercial flights limited, we are working to secure flights for Canadians to leave," urging, "If there are available flights, please leave Lebanon." Minister Joly also advised, "If you want assistance leaving Lebanon, register with the embassy," and added, "We may lend money to those who need financial support." Furthermore, Iraq's Ministry of Transport indefinitely postponed flights on the Beirut route, citing the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.
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