The Israeli military says Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the leader of the Terrorist organization HezbollahHassan Nasrallah, died in an attack on the group's headquarters in Lebanon on Friday.

“This is not the end of our toolbox. The message is simple: anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel – we will know how to reach them,” said IDF Chief of General Staff Ltf. Herzi Halevi said about the elimination of Nasrallah.

The IDF attacked the Iranian-backed terror proxy's headquarters in southern Beirut, revealing that they had targeted Nasrallah. A Hezbollah media representative initially claimed he was “well and well,” but the Israelis confirmed his death early the next morning.

Hezbollah later confirmed the death of its terror chief. A statement sent to Reuters said it would continue its fight against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.”

At least two more people were killed and dozens injured, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said.

Netanyahu calls Middle East conflicts a choice between 'blessing or curse' and warns of Israel's 'long arm'

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah speaks via video link as his supporters raise their hands during the Shiite holiday of Ashoura in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The leader A member of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group has warned arch-enemy Israel over the maritime border dispute between the two countries. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

“The IDF announces that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the terrorist organization Hezbollah and one of its founders, was eliminated by the IDF yesterday (Friday), September 27, 2024, along with Ali Karki, the commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front, additional Hezbollah- Commanders,” the IDF said in a statement.

“According to precise intelligence from the IDF and the Israeli security apparatus, IAF fighter jets carried out a targeted attack on the headquarters of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which was located under a residential building in the Dahieh area of ​​Beirut, the statement added. “The attack was carried out while Hezbollah leadership was operating from its headquarters and promoting terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel.”

The IDF said Nasrallah was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers and for planning and carrying out thousands of terrorist activities around the world. The IDF said Nasrallah was Hezbollah's central decision-maker and strategic leader.

IDF profile photo showing Hezbollah terror chief Hassan Nasrallah, who the IDF confirmed was killed in an attack on Friday. (IDF Spokesperson Unit)

On Friday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters: “The United States was not involved in the Israeli operation” and noted that there was “no warning” from the Israelis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his trip to New York after his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in which he warned Hezbollah of Israel's right to go on the offensive.

An IDF information map showing how it decimated Hezbollah's chain of command in recent attacks. (IDF Spokesperson Unit)

“As long as Hezbollah chooses the path of war, Israel has no choice, and Israel has every right to eliminate this threat and return our citizens safely to their homeland, and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

After his speech, the prime minister's office released a picture showing the Israeli leader in his New York hotel approving the operation against the terror chief.

ISRAEL attacks Hezbollah leader Nasrallah in an attack on headquarters in Beirut

The IDF said it continues to attack Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites.

“Since last night, the IDF has attacked over 140 Hezbollah terrorist targets, including launching pads for Israeli civilians, weapons storage buildings, strategic weapons, weapons production facilities and other terrorist infrastructure sites, some of which were embedded under residential buildings in the Beirut area,” the IDF said.

“The IDF continues to work to weaken and destroy Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure and capabilities,” it said.

Rich Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Nasrallah's death would mark a significant victory for Israel because of his close ties with Tehran.

This photo shows the Israeli Air Force command on the night of the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the terrorist organization Hezbollah. (IDF)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“People don’t appreciate that Nasrallah replaced Soleimani as Khamenei’s chief strategist,” Goldberg said.

“Nasrallah had operational control of Lebanon and Syria: This is not just a strategic game-changer for Hezbollah, Lebanon and Syria“It is a strategic turning point for Tehran,” Goldberg explained. “We should assume that the IRGC is effectively taking over behind the scenes.” Khamenei had clearly made the decision in recent weeks to avoid initiating Israeli attacks in Iran.”

“The calculus that led to this decision has not changed,” Goldberg added. “Should Khamenei decide that he is lucky tonight and orders a direct attack, we should all suspend our assumptions about what Israel is willing to do in Iran.”

Reuters contributed to this report.