What was the impact of the Israeli Air Force bombing Hezbollah's headquarters

Introduction

On September 27, 2024, the Israeli Air Force conducted a major airstrike targeting Hezbollah’s central headquarters in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut’s southern Dahieh suburb. This attack had significant impacts:

Assassination of Hassan Nasrallah:

The strike successfully killed Hassan Nasrallah, the long-standing secretary-general of Hezbollah. This was a major blow to the organization’s leadership.

Destruction of underground complex:

The airstrike destroyed a sophisticated underground bunker located 60 feet (18 m) below residential buildings, where Hezbollah leaders were meeting.

Extensive damage:

The attack involved dropping over 80 bombs, including 2,000-pound (910 kg) bunker buster bombs. This resulted in the complete destruction of the underground headquarters and nearby buildings.

Civilian casualties:

Due to the densely populated nature of the area, there were significant civilian casualties. Initial reports indicated at least 33 fatalities and 195 injuries, with the number expected to rise as search efforts continued.

Other high-profile casualties:

The strike also killed other senior Hezbollah commanders, including Ali Karaki, commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and Abbas Nilforoushan, deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the Quds Force in Lebanon.

Widespread destruction:

The explosion created a large crater and caused extensive damage to the surrounding area, with tremors felt up to 30 kilometers north of Beirut.

Escalation of conflict:

This strike marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, leading to increased tensions and retaliatory actions.

Displacement:

The intensified bombing campaign by Israel, including this strike, has led to widespread displacement in Lebanon, with over one million people forced to flee their homes.

Construction

This airstrike was part of Israel’s broader strategy to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities and infrastructure, which has included targeting command centers, weapons depots, and key personnel. The operation, codenamed “New Order” by the Israel Defense Forces, represented one of the most significant blows to Hezbollah’s leadership and operational capacity in recent years.