Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Beirut strike, Israel's military says

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel said Saturday that it killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, dealing its most significant blow to the Lebanese militant group after months of fighting. There was no immediate confirmation from Hezbollah.

If the claim is true, Nasrallah is by far the most powerful target to be killed by Israel in weeks of intensified fighting with Hezbollah. The military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leadership met at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut.

Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said Saturday that the elimination of Nasrallah was “not the end of our toolbox,” indicating that more strikes were planned. He said that the strike targeting Hezbollah leadership was the result of a long period of preparation.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said six people were killed and 91 injured in the strikes Friday, which leveled six apartment buildings. Ali Karki, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and additional Hezbollah commanders, were also killed in the attack, the Israeli military said.

The Israeli military said it was mobilizing additional reserve soldiers as tensions escalate with Lebanon, activating three battalions of reserve soldiers to serve across the country. The call comes after it sent two brigades to northern Israel earlier in the week to train for a possible ground invasion.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an army spokesman, said the airstrike was based on years of tracking Nasrallah along with “real time intelligence” that made it viable. He said Nasrallah’s death had been confirmed through various types of intelligence, but declined to elaborate.

Shoshani said that Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah’s capabilities over the past week by targeting a combination of immediate threats and strategic weapons, such as larger, guided missiles. But he said much of Hezbollah’s arsenal still remains intact and that Israel would continue to target the group.

“This isn’t a threat that has gone away,” he said.

Shoshani said it is “safe to assume” that Hezbollah will retaliate and that Israel is on “high readiness.”

But he said Israel hopes the blow to Hezbollah will change the course of the war.

“We hope this will change Hezbollah’s actions,” he said. “We have been looking for solutions, looking for a change in reality that will bring our civilians home,” referring to the approximately 60,000 Israelis who have been evacuated from their homes along the Lebanese border for almost a year. Earlier this month, Israel's government said halting Hezbollah’s attacks in the country’s north to allow residents to return to their homes is an official war goal.

Shoshani declined to say what munitions were used in the strike or provide an estimate on civilian deaths in the strike, only saying that Israel takes measures to avoid civilians whenever possible and clears strikes ahead of time with intelligence and legal experts.

If correct, Nasrallah’s death is a “historical moment,” said Orna Mizrahi, a senior researcher at the Tel Aviv-based think tank Institute for National Security Studies and former intelligence analyst for the Israeli military and prime minister’s office. “This doesn’t mean that Hezbollah is destroyed, because Hezbollah is made up tens of thousands of people,” she said.

Mizrahi noted that Nasrallah was sometimes a “voice of reason,” interested in engaging Israel in a war of attrition and holding the militant group back from using the full force of their formidable arsenal against Israel. If Nasrallah has been removed, that could prompt some less senior members of Hezbollah to unleash much stronger weapons than have been used in the nearly yearlong exchange of hostilities between Hezbollah and Lebanon, she said. The biggest question mark right now, though, is how Iran will respond, said Mizrahi.

Mizrahi added that Nasrallah's reported death could provide a window of opportunity, while the organization is significantly weakened, for Lebanon to dilute Hezbollah’s far-reaching influence, especially in the south, that threatens to drag Lebanon into a full-scale war with Israel.

On Saturday morning, the Israeli military carried out several strikes in southern Beirut and eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles across northern and central Israel and deep into the Israel-occupied West Bank.

In Beirut’s southern suburbs, smoke rose and the streets were empty after the area was pummeled overnight by heavy Israeli airstrikes. Shelters set up in the city center for displaced people were overflowing. Many families slept in public squares and beaches or in their cars. On the roads leading to the mountains above the capital, hundreds of people could be seen making an exodus on foot, holding infants and whatever belongings they could carry.

At least 720 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past week from Israeli airstrikes, according to the Health Ministry.

Mroue reported from Beirut.

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2015 file photo, Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah addresses a crowd during the holy day of Ashoura, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

Israeli soldiers work on tanks in northern Israel on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Smoke and fire rise following an Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Rescuers arrive near the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Rescuers arrive near the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A wounded man sits in an ambulance at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Lebanese citizens watch smoke rise from Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Rescuers gather as smoke rises from a collapsed building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

An Israeli soldier carries a shell next to a tank in northern Israel on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand overcame a slow start and produced a more clinical finish than in recent matches to beat Australia 33-13 on Saturday and sweep the two-test Bledisloe Cup series.

When winger Caleb Clarke scored his second and the All Blacks' fifth try in the 64th minute it was the first time in six tests New Zealand has scored points in the last quarter.

Australia had scored first and kept the game close until just before halftime when New Zealand took a 19-13 lead. The second half belonged to the All Blacks, who scored two tries and 14 unanswered points to win in Wellington for the first time in six years.

“We didn't start too well but I'm really pleased with how we finished,” All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said. “There was some real grit in defense there in the way we held out the Aussies.”

The Wallabies — without a win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 23 years — started so well they seemed a team transformed in only seven days. A slow start cost them the first test between the teams in Sydney last weekend and the chance to regain the Bledisloe Cup after 21 years.

Australia trailed 28-7 in the first half of that match but rallied strongly before going down 31-28.

On Saturday, the Wallabies posted the first try through backrower Fraser McReight in the eighth minute.

They led 10-5, then 13-12 with a conversion and penalties to Noah Lolesio before New Zealand came back to claim a 19-13 halftime lead. The All Blacks were confined to their own half for long periods in the first half but broke out to score tries through each member of their back three.

Right winger Sevu Reece scored in the 16th minute, fullback Will Jordan in the 22nd and left winger Caleb Clarke in the 41st after the All Blacks, trailing 13-12, passed up a kickable penalty.

The Wallabies trailed at halftime despite having shaded New Zealand on territory and possession and having forced the All Blacks to make more than 90 tackles.

The Wallabies out-muscled the All Blacks in the first spell, most obviously in the lead-up to McReight's try. They were determined to run every piece of possession at New Zealand, even launching attacks from inside their own 22.

The All Blacks lacked discipline at times and conceded the first six penalties of the match. At the same time, the Wallabies' ball security was poor at the end of the first half and start of the second and they gave too much ball back to the All Blacks, who were typically dangerous off turnovers.

A turnover won by Ardie Savea set up Reece's try. Jordan was a constant danger with turnover possession which Australia struggled to contain.

A break by Jordan put New Zealand in an attacking position in the 54th minute and prop Tamaiti Williams scored to make the All Blacks' lead 26-13.

Without possession, Australia began to concede penalties to hand the All Blacks better field position.

“That's not the result we wanted,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said. "I thought our first 40 was really good. We showed up, we started fast but we struggled with possession in the second half.”

Veteran scrumhalf T.J. Perenara left the field in the 62nd after playing his last test for New Zealand and flanker Sam Kane was replaced in the 68th after becoming the 13th New Zealander to play 100 tests.

After scoring his second try and breaking the All Blacks' final-quarter drought, Clarke ended the game in the sin-bin for picking up the ball from an offside position.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke scores a try during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Kerry Marshall/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke scores a try as he is tackled by Australia's Hunter Paisami during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

The Bledisloe Cup on display ahead of the Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Wallace Sititi makes a runduring their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke runs past Australia's Andrew Kellaway during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Australia's Len Ikitau is tackled by New Zealand's Beauden Barrett, right, during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Will Jordan scores a try during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Tupou Vaa'i runs at the defence during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Australia's Len Ikitau is tackled by New Zealand's Beauden Barrett, right, during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Australia's Fraser McReight, left, passes the ball as New Zealand's Tupou Vaa'i makes a tackle during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Australia's Tom Wright takes the ball during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Australia's Taniela Tupou reacts as he is attended to by a trainer during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Wallace Sititi makes a run during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Sevu Reece runs past Australia's Len Ikitau to score a try during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Australia's Nick Frost, right, and New Zealand's Caleb Clarke collide as they compete for the ball during their Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.(Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)