Houthi leader says Nasrallah’s death ‘will not be wasted’
The leader of Yemen’s Houthis promises the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah “will not be in vain”.
“These great sacrifices and great injustice will not be wasted,” Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech. He added his fighters were directed towards “improving performance” after previous missile and drone strikes against Israel.
The Iran-aligned group pledged on Friday to continue its attacks on Israel until its “aggression on Lebanon and Gaza stops” after it emerged that its attempt to hit Tel Aviv had been foiled by air defences.
Houthis say they fired ballistic missile at Ben Gurion airport
The Yemen-based group’s military spokesperson says it launched an attack on Ben Gurion airport during the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
There was no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Netanyahu was returning from the United States after addressing the UN General Assembly. “The operation was carried out with a Palestine 2 ballistic missile,” Yahya Saree said in a statement.
“The Yemeni armed forces – along with all the honourable and free people of the nation – continue to respond to the crimes of the Israeli enemy, and will not hesitate to raise the level of escalation in response to the requirements of the stage and participate in the defence of Gaza and Lebanon.
“These operations will cease only after the cessation of the aggression against Gaza and Lebanon.”
Lebanon declares three days of mourning for slain Hezbollah chief
Lebanon has announced three days of mourning for Hassan Nasrallah. Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the official mourning would start on Monday with flags to fly at half-staff on public buildings, a statement said.
Public offices will also close on the day of Nasrallah’s funeral. Hezbollah has yet to announce a date.
Netanyahu: Nasrallah’s death will change balance of power in the region
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is 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.
“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. So I gave the order – and Nasrallah is no longer with us.”
Israel’s leader added, “We settled the score with the one responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French.”
I thought Mohammed Deif was, or was it Yahyha Sinwar, the architects of Oct 7. Now Nasrallah is 'the terrorist'.
Nasrallah was already getting old (64) and had plenty enemies after Hezbollah's involvement in the Syrian civil war on Iran's behalf. Now a younger, likely more radical less restrained leader will take over. Unifying Hezbollah support under the current bombardments.
Netanyahu is right, it will change the balance of power. It will strengthen Hezbollah's resolve, as well as the Houthis' and groups operating in Iraq. And while Iran is not interested in an all-out war, their support for their allies will continue unabated.
