Media: Hezbollah leader's daughter killed in Israeli airstrike

Zainab Nasrallah, daughter of Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut.

The attack targeted Hezbollah's central headquarters in the densely populated Dahiya neighbourhood, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Prior to her death, Zainab had publicly expressed her loyalty to Hezbollah's objectives. In a 2022 interview with Lebanese media, she remarked, “When my brother Hadi became a martyr, my parents did not shed a tear.”

On September 27 night, the Israeli army launched a rocket attack in the area, reportedly aiming at Hassan Nasrallah. However, credible reports on his status remain unconfirmed.

Shortly before the airstrikes, the Israeli Prime Minister addressed the UN General Assembly, asserting that Israel was gaining ground in its conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. The Israeli military characterized the operation as a “precision strike,” which resulted in widespread destruction, with initial reports indicating six deaths and 91 injuries.

Photos and videos from the scene showed significant smoke and devastation. Reports from Israeli media suggested that the airstrike was aimed at Hassan Nasrallah, but various Western sources, claim he is alive and safe.

A source close to Hezbollah indicated that Nasrallah ceased communication with the group following the strikes, yet confirmed his safety. Meanwhile, the Israeli army reported that the strikes killed Mohammed Ali Ismail, the commander of Hezbollah's missile unit, along with his deputy, Hussein Ahmad Ismail, and other commanders.

Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated that the strike targeted a meeting of individuals plotting attacks against Israel, referring to them as “bad people.” He declined to comment on whether Nasrallah was present but labelled him a “terrorist with blood on his hands.”

At least two buildings were reportedly destroyed in the airstrikes, and the Israeli military warned of potential strikes on three additional structures in southern Beirut believed to house Hezbollah rockets. In response, Hezbollah dismissed Israel's claims about weapons being stored in civilian buildings as false.

Israeli airstrikes continued into September 28 night.

By Tamilla Hasanova