Netanyahu orders airstrike killing Nasrallah, tensions with US rise

Western media report on the circumstances of the killing of the Hezbollah leader. Israel decided on an airstrike, which resulted in the death of Hasan Nasrallah, fearing that Nasrallah would change his location, reported "New York Times." Benjamin Netanyahu did not inform the United States about this, thinking that the White House would try to stop the operation, reports Channel 12.

The airstrike was carried out on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where, within a few minutes, Israeli planes dropped 80 bombs. This information is confirmed by two high-ranking officials of the Israeli defense establishment, cited by "NYT."

After the attack, the Israeli army reported that the target of the airstrike was the Hezbollah headquarters located under residential buildings in the Dahieh district, leading to the collapse of several buildings. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that at least 11 people were killed and 108 were injured. Along with Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah, several other high-ranking Hezbollah commanders were killed, including Ali Karaki, who led the group's operations in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli government discussed the decision about the attack since the beginning of the week. Still, Prime Minister Netanyahu made the final decision just before the airstrike while he was in New York, reported Channel 12. The Prime Minister approved the operation and went to the UN headquarters to deliver a speech during the General Assembly session. After the attack on Beirut, he shortened his visit to the US and returned to Israel immediately after the operation ended.

Prime Minister Netanyahu decided on the attack after consultations with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who urged him to approve the strike. This decision was also supported by the heads of Mossad and the security service Shin Bet, David Barnea and Ronen Bar, reported the station. Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Gen. Herzi Halevi informed Gallant on Friday afternoon that "Nasrallah is in the bunker and the operation can begin." The Defense Minister called the Prime Minister, asking for approval to attack.

Channel 12 notes that Netanyahu, while discussing the attack with his ministers, was simultaneously talking with US representatives about a possible ceasefire. The American and French diplomacy publicly announced the ceasefire plan on Thursday, believing that Netanyahu initially agreed to this plan.

American officials expressed their dissatisfaction with Israel's stance and felt deceived, reported the station. Defense Minister Gallant called his counterpart in the US, Lloyd Austin, but only after the operation had already begun. "It's hard to consider this as prior warning," said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh.

According to Channel 12, Netanyahu did not want to alert the Americans because he feared that the US would try to prevent the strike.