Netanyahu: Nasrallah's Death Will Change Balance of Power in Region

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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Netanyahu: Nasrallah's Death Will Change Balance of Power in Region

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was a historical turning point that could change the balance of power in the Middle East though he warned of “challenging days” ahead.

"Nasrallah was not a terrorist, he was the terrorist," Netanyahu said in a statement, in his first public remarks since Nasrallah's killing in airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday.

Netanyahu said the killings of top Hezbollah commanders was not enough and he decided Nasrallah also needed to be killed.

He blamed Nasrallah for being “the architect” of a plan to “annihilate” Israel.

"Nasrallah's killing was a necessary step toward achieving the goals we have set, returning residents of the north safely to their homes and changing the balance of power in the region for years to come," Netanyahu said.



Israel Hits Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.  (Photo by AFP)
A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)
TT

Israel Hits Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.  (Photo by AFP)
A damaged car lies amid the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the neighborhood of Haret Hreik in Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)

The Israeli army carried out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, called Dahiyeh, again on Saturday.

It warned residents in parts of the suburbs that they were residing near Hezbollah facilities, which the army would target in the near future.

The warning, posted on X, told people to evacuate at least 500 meters away.

The army said that over the past day it had conducted intelligence-based strikes on Hezbollah targets in Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. It said it hit several command centers and weapons storage facilities.