TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Lebanese political-paramilitary group Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday the death of its leader and one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike while the group’s leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, in southern Beirut, on Friday night.
In a statement, the militia said that Nasrallah "has joined his fellow martyrs" and promised to continue with "the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine."
Hours earlier, Israel had also reported that in the attack on a residential area in Beirut, where it claimed Hezbollah's headquarters were located, Nasrallah was killed.
Who was Hassan Nasrallah?
Nasrallah led the insurgent group for more than three decades and is by far the highest-level target killed by Israeli forces since the intensification of the fighting with Hezbollah.
His death could radically change the conflicts in the Middle East.
Since 1992, Nasrallah was the leader of the organization. He was a 64-year-old Shiite cleric, key in transforming it into a political and military force. According to BBC Mundo, he maintained close ties with Iran and although he had not appeared in public for security reasons for years, he delivered televised speeches every week.
Israel mobilizes its army to the north of the country.
On the other hand, the Israeli army announced on Saturday the mobilization of more reserve soldiers due to the escalation of tensions with Lebanon. Three reserve battalions were activated after two others were sent to the north of the country earlier in the week to train for a possible ground invasion.
On Saturday morning, the army carried out several attacks on the south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley in the east.
Also on Saturday, Hezbollah fired dozens of projectiles towards northern and central Israel, as well as towards the occupied West Bank.