Lebanon's foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib on Thursday revealed that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a "complete ceasefire" moments before Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike.
In an interview with PBS, the foreign minister when asked if Nasrallah had agreed to a ceasefire moments before "he was assassinated" said that after discussions with Hezbollah, Lebanon had informed the American and French governments of its agreement to a ceasefire. The foreign minister also added that Netanyahu had agreed with the statements made by both countries.
A statement released on Saturday announced that Nasrallah "has joined his fellow martyrs," with the group vowing to "continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine."
Also read:
Nasrallah, Hezbollah chief for 32 years, killed in Israel airstrikeAfter Hezbollah confirmed the killing of Nasrallah the region has plunged into further conflict with Israel beginning its on-ground incursion into Lebanon. The Israeli military suffered its deadliest day in a year, losing 8 soldiers. Over the last 24 hours, Israeli strikes reportedly killed 46 people and injured 85, while the military warned residents to evacuate multiple areas.
The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leadership met at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than three decades, is by far the most powerful target to be killed by Israel in weeks of intensified fighting with Hezbollah.
On Thursday, Israel launched a deadly air raid on a Hezbollah rescue facility in central Beirut, resulting in at least six fatalities, according to Lebanese sources. This strike followed an increase in tensions after Iran executed its largest missile attack on Israel, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to threaten consequences for Tehran. In response, Iran vowed to escalate its actions if Israel retaliates, intensifying a conflict that has already claimed over 1,000 lives in Lebanon.
The Israeli military reported that it conducted a targeted airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leadership was meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, represents the most significant target killed by Israel amid weeks of heightened conflict with the group.