Israel has killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah after bombing residential buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The heavy bombing with multiple bunker-busting bombs levelled six apartment buildings, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing ambulances and rescue crews rushing to the scene, where they encountered several fires throughout the blast site. A large crater was visible near one of the struck buildings.

“Hassan Nasrallah is dead,” Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said on X.

Hezbollah confirmed Nasrallah’s death and said it would keep up the fight against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defence of Lebanon and its steadfast and honourable people.”

Israel also killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan in the same bombing that killed Nasrallah on Friday.

In response, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, condemned the action as a “horrible crime” and warned that it would not go unanswered.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that more than 720 people have lost their lives since Israel attacked on Monday.

The United Nations has documented a sharp increase in displacement with over 211,000 people now forced from their homes in southern Lebanon.

World reacts to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon, calling it a policy of “genocide, occupation, and invasion.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for Israel to “immediately stop its strikes in Lebanon,” emphasising France’s opposition to any Israeli ground operation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the “dramatic escalation” in Lebanon.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry  condemned Israel’s killing of Nasrallah, urging Israel to cease hostilities in Lebanon and warning of potential “dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on X that he spoke with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati: “We agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the bloodshed. A diplomatic solution is the only way to restore security and stability for the Lebanese and Israeli people.”

A Pentagon spokesperson stated that the US did not have prior knowledge of the attacks.

But US President Joe Biden reaffirmed US support for “Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups.”