Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Hours before Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, an Iranian mole tipped off Israeli authorities about his location, according to a report by Le Parisien. The report, citing a Lebanese security source, said that the mole provided information that Nasrallah would be at Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburbs for a meeting with senior leaders.
On Saturday, Israel launched airstrikes targeting multiple Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, which resulted in the death of Nasrallah, as well as other key Hezbollah figures. Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed Nasrallah’s death in a post on X, stating, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.”
Israel’s Intelligence Operations Against Hezbollah
According to a report by The New York Times, Israel’s success in neutralizing Hezbollah leaders, including Nasrallah, stems from its strategic decision to increase intelligence resources against the Iran-backed group after the 2006 war. The IDF and Israeli intelligence agencies, including Unit 8200, used advanced cyber tools to intercept Hezbollah communications, enabling them to track and target Hezbollah leadership.
The mole’s tip-off played a critical role in Nasrallah’s elimination. The French report highlights how Israel’s meticulous intelligence operations have led to a series of targeted strikes, weakening Hezbollah’s command structure.
Hezbollah’s Response and Previous Threats
Before his death, Nasrallah had warned Israel of retaliation for previous attacks, including one where explosive-laden pagers were used by Israeli operatives to target Hezbollah members. In a speech, Nasrallah acknowledged the devastating impact of these attacks but vowed “tough retribution” against Israel.
With tensions rising, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Nasrallah’s death is a crucial step in degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities. Chip Usher, a former CIA analyst, noted in the NYT report that Israel’s focus on Hezbollah leaders is part of a “shadow war” with Iran and Hezbollah, a conflict that Israel is navigating with patience and precision.
Long-standing Conflict
The killing of Nasrallah is a significant blow to Hezbollah, marking the culmination of Israel’s years-long efforts to dismantle the group’s leadership. Previously, Israel’s intelligence capabilities had led to the assassination of top Hezbollah operatives, including Imad Mugniyah in 2008. More recently, Israeli strikes targeted Fuad Shukr, Ibrahim Aqil, and other Hezbollah commanders.
