The body of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut, has been recovered, according to a source close to the movement.
Friday’s air strike also claimed the life of Ali Karake, Hezbollah’s top commander in southern Lebanon, the group confirmed on Sunday. While Hezbollah has not yet released the names of others who died alongside Nasrallah and Karake, the incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
A medical source and a security source revealed that Nasrallah’s body was found intact at the site of the airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs. His death marks the end of more than three decades of leadership of Hezbollah, where he was widely considered the most powerful figure in Lebanon, heading the Iran-backed group that is Israel’s sworn enemy.
An Israeli military spokesperson announced that “more than 20 other terrorists of varying ranks” were also killed in the Friday attack. Hezbollah has yet to comment on the death of Nabil Kaouk, another prominent figure in the group, but mourning messages for him have been circulating among supporters.
The Israeli military disclosed it had also killed Kaouk during the exchange of strikes between both sides. Kaouk had been a member of Hezbollah since the 1980s and previously served as deputy director general of Hezbollah’s southern region.
On Sunday, Israeli forces continued their offensive, launching a fresh wave of strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The military stated that approximately 120 Hezbollah positions were targeted in southern Lebanon and deep into Lebanese territory, including key infrastructure and headquarters used by the group’s different units.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Israeli air strikes on Houthi-controlled Yemen killed four people and injured more than 30 others, according to Houthi media. The strikes targeted areas including the port city of Hodeida, which is held by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
Ambulance and rescue teams are still searching for missing individuals as reports indicate further casualties may emerge.