Hagari, Gallant, Halevi: 'Long-standing score with the arch-terrorist Nasrallah settled'

In a Satuday press update, IDF Spokesperson R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari announced that the IDF eliminated  Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the Israeli airstrikes that shocked Beirut on Friday night while providing further instructions to the Israeli public for the upcoming days.

"Nasrallah was one of Israel's greatest enemies of all time, and his elimination has made the world a safer place for everyone," Hagari said.

"There is still much work to be done in Lebanon to return our northern citizens to their homes and ensure their safety, together with the return of our hostages still held by Hamas." 

"The Home Front Command has issued new updates on the safety guidelines and restrictions for the different risk areas in the country. We urge the public to keep on abiding by these instructions for their own safety."

According to the IDF website, the new updates include areas in the northern Golan Heights, the Carmel and Galilee areas, and cities such as Yokneam that only allow outdoor gatherings and services for ten people and indoor events for 150 people.

All beaches in the area are also officially closed to the public, and educational activities of any kind are prohibited until further notice. In the Gaza envelope, gatherings may be held for up to 1,000 people.

Gallant: 'Israel has settled a score'

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said shortly after that "the IDF carried out one of the most significant targeted operations in the history of the State of Israel yesterday. This operation settled a long-standing score with the arch-terrorist Nasrallah, whose hands are stained with the blood of thousands of civilians and soldiers," as reported by Israeli media.

"This elimination is part of a series of recent actions resonating throughout the Middle East, sending a clear message to those who have acted against us and those contemplating doing so now: anyone who starts a war against Israel and attempts to harm its citizens will pay a very heavy price. We are not stopping; we continue to act in accordance with our commitment to achieving the war's objectives." Gallant added. 

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gave a situational assessment to the IDF's Northern Command on Saturday, where he said that the Hezbollah leader "wanted to destroy Israel - we eliminated him."

Halevi said that the IDF is "at peak readiness, both in defense and offense, across all fronts, and is prepared for what comes next." He said that Nasrallah's elimination took place in the terrorist organization's "underground headquarters in the heart of Beirut, "with the strike also eliminating "other senior officials in the terrorist organization.

"Nasrallah indiscriminately murdered Israeli civilians and aimed to end this war with the destruction of the State of Israel. We made sure that did not occur. We eliminated him, and we will continue to grow stronger."

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X, "The elimination of arch-terrorist Nasrallah is one of the most justified counter-terrorism actions Israel has ever taken. I commend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for initiating this bold action, the Defense Minister and cabinet members for approving it, and the Chief of Staff and the IDF for their brilliant planning and execution."