Hezbollah has announced the martyrdom of its Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a statement released today following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The statement, which began with a Quranic verse, honored Nasrallah as a "great leader and brave martyr" who devoted his life to the resistance against Israeli occupation.

Quoting Surah al-Nisa' [4:74], the statement read: *“Let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, and then is slain, or he subdues [the enemy], soon We shall give him a great reward.”*

Hezbollah paid tribute to Nasrallah as "the pious servant of God," likening him to the martyrs of Karbala and celebrating his leadership over three decades. Nasrallah, who succeeded Sayyed Abbas al-Mousawi in 1992, was praised for his role in pivotal victories, including the liberation of southern Lebanon in 2000 and the "Divine Victory" over Israel in the 2006 war.

"He joined his great, eternal companions," the statement continued, highlighting Nasrallah’s leadership "in the battle of support for Palestine and the oppressed people of Palestine." Hezbollah expressed pride in Nasrallah's martyrdom, declaring it his greatest wish to die in service of the Palestinian cause and al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Hezbollah also extended condolences to Lebanon’s people, the broader Islamic nation, and all who support the resistance movement worldwide. The group praised Nasrallah for his dedication to the fight against Israel, vowing to continue the struggle in defense of Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon’s sovereignty.

The statement reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to Nasrallah’s legacy, addressing the movement’s fighters: “You, who were his trusted shield… our leader, the Sayyed, still lives among us through his thought, spirit, and his holy path.”

The announcement of Nasrallah’s martyrdom comes after a series of Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah’s headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which led to numerous casualties. Hezbollah’s leadership also confirmed that several fellow fighters were martyred in the attacks, vowing that the fight would continue in defense of Lebanon and the Palestinian cause.

This development marks a significant turning point in the region, with tensions escalating between Israel and Hezbollah, raising concerns of a broader conflict. (ILKHA)