Hezbollah’s Nasrallah ‘suffocated’ to death by ‘toxic fumes’ after Israel’s 80-ton bomb strike

Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah died at 64 after an Israeli airstrike on September 27 filled his bunker with toxic fumes. Reports suggest he suffocated under rubble as asphyxiation appears to be the primary cause of death, raising questions about the implications for Hezbollah and the region.

Sayantani
Published1 Oct 2024, 04:26 PM IST
Participants carry a portrait of Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah, as Shiite Muslims take part in a ceremony during the peak of Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein,n, in Beirut on July 17, 2024.
Participants carry a portrait of Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah, as Shiite Muslims take part in a ceremony during the peak of Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson Imam Hussein,n, in Beirut on July 17, 2024. (AFP)

Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, aged 64, died after toxic fumes filled his secret bunker following an Israeli airstrike on 27 September in Beirut. It is suggested that the Hezbollah chief may have suffocated after being trapped under rubble as gas from the explosions seeped into the confined space.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah, was killed during a recent Israeli airstrike on September 27.

Also Read | Iranian spy ‘revealed location’ of slain Hezbollah chief to Israel before strike

How Hassan Nasrallah was killed? Netanyahu greenlit strike from New York?

According to Israeli media, the strike targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut, utilizing 80 tons of “bunker-busting” bombs designed to penetrate fortified structures.

These airstrikes were aimed at the group’s operations in the Dahieh district, where the headquarters is believed to be located underground beneath a residential building.

The attack used a series of timed, chained explosions to penetrate the subterranean bunker, a senior Israeli military official said. “We had real-time intelligence that Nasrallah was gathering with many senior terrorists," Wall Street Journal quoted Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani.

Also Read | After Hassan Nasrallah, Israel kills Hezbollah’s Nabil Kaouk in Lebanon strike

When it was over, a pillar of orange smoke rose above Beirut. And Hassan Nasrallah, the fierce and charismatic Islamist who had led Hezbollah for more than three decades, was dead.

According to Wall Street Journal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he had given a defiant speech to a largely empty chamber, after many delegates walked out. “We will not accept a terror army perched on our northern border able to perpetrate another Oct 7-style massacre," he said.

An hour after the attack, his office released a photo of him on the phone in New York, giving the greenlight for the strike that killed Hassan Nasrallah.

Also Read | Body of Hassan Nasrallah recovered, Israel says ’over 20’ Hezbollah officials…

Condition of the Hassan Nasrallah's Body

When security personnel discovered Nasrallah’s body, there were no visible wounds, raising suspicions that he did not die from immediate blast injuries.

Instead, it appears that asphyxiation could have been the primary cause of death, stemming from the toxic environment created by the explosions.

Also Read | Blow to Hezbollah: Israeli airstrike kills Ali Karaki after Nasrallah & Kaouk

Possible Trauma to Hassan Nasrallah

While asphyxiation seems to be the likely cause, some reports indicate that blunt force trauma from the blasts might also have contributed to his death.

At the time of the airstrike, Nasrallah was reportedly preparing for a meeting with Hezbollah leadership, highlighting the sudden and unforeseen nature of the attack.

Lack of Official Confirmation from Hezbollah

As of now, Hezbollah has not issued any statements regarding the circumstances of Nasrallah’s death, leaving many questions unanswered about the implications of this significant loss for the militant group and the region.

Also Read | Hassan Nasrallah’s death will reshape Lebanon and the Middle East

Isreael begins ground offensive in Lebanon

Late Monday, Israel's military began what it called "limited, localised and targeted raids" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon's border areas.

Its ground forces are backed by fighter jets and artillery fire.

The military formally announced the start of the ground offensive hours after the United States said Israeli forces were conducting limited operations in Lebanon.

The military did not reveal how many soldiers were involved in the incursion, but said its 98th division -- including paratroopers and commando units -- was taking part.

Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

MoreLess
First Published:1 Oct 2024, 04:26 PM IST
Business NewsNewsWorldHezbollah’s Nasrallah ‘suffocated’ to death by ‘toxic fumes’ after Israel’s 80-ton bomb strike

Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!

  • Employment Type

    Most Active Stocks

    Bharat Electronics share price

    283.95
    03:58 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    -1.1 (-0.39%)

    Tata Steel share price

    167.00
    03:56 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    -1.45 (-0.86%)

    Tata Power share price

    481.00
    03:58 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    -1.7 (-0.35%)

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises share price

    140.05
    03:55 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    2.4 (1.74%)
    More Active Stocks

    Market Snapshot

    • Top Gainers
    • Top Losers
    • 52 Week High

    Caplin Point Laboratories share price

    2,080.30
    03:52 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    182.75 (9.63%)

    PB Fintech share price

    1,729.65
    03:57 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    113.65 (7.03%)

    Welspun Living share price

    175.00
    03:50 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    11.25 (6.87%)

    National Aluminium Company share price

    224.15
    03:56 PM | 1 OCT 2024
    13.75 (6.54%)
    More from Top Gainers

    Recommended For You

      More Recommendations

      Gold Prices

      • 24K
      • 22K
      Bangalore
      77,245.00-160.00
      Chennai
      77,251.00-160.00
      Delhi
      77,403.00-160.00
      Kolkata
      77,255.00-160.00

      Fuel Price

      • Petrol
      • Diesel
      Bangalore
      102.86/L0.00
      Chennai
      100.85/L-0.13
      Kolkata
      104.95/L0.00
      New Delhi
      94.72/L0.00

      Popular in News

        HomeMarketsPremiumInstant LoanMint Shorts