Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, aged 64, died following an Israeli airstrike on September 27, which filled his underground bunker with toxic fumes. Reports indicate that he suffocated after being trapped under rubble, with asphyxiation appearing to be the main cause of death. The incident raises significant questions about the future of Hezbollah and its impact on the region.
The strike, aimed at Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut, was part of a broader Israeli military operation. The target was the group's operations in the Dahieh district, where the bunker is believed to be located beneath a residential building. Israeli forces used 80 tons of "bunker-busting" bombs to penetrate the heavily fortified structure. According to military officials, the bombs created a series of timed explosions designed to reach the underground bunker.
Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, approved the strike. Shortly after his speech at the UN, where he emphasized Israel's determination to prevent terror attacks on its northern border, a photo was released showing Netanyahu on the phone, giving the green light for the operation.
When security forces found Nasrallah’s body, it showed no signs of immediate blast injuries, leading to suspicions that toxic fumes were the cause of death. While asphyxiation is believed to be the primary cause, some reports suggest that blunt force trauma from the blasts could have also contributed.
At the time of the airstrike, Nasrallah was reportedly preparing for a leadership meeting with Hezbollah. As of now, Hezbollah has not issued any official statements about his death, leaving many questions unanswered about the implications of this loss for the organization.
Following the airstrike, Israel’s military launched limited raids against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, targeting areas near the border. These ground operations, supported by fighter jets and artillery, are part of Israel's ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the region.
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