Mr. Nasrallah, 64, who led Hezbollah for more than three decades, is by far the most powerful target killed by Israel during weeks of intensifying fighting with the Lebanese Islamist group.
The Islamist militant group Hezbollah, classified as a terrorist organization by many states, confirmed on Saturday that its leader and one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut the day before.
Mr. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for more than three decades, is by far the most powerful target killed by Israel during weeks of intensifying fighting with Hezbollah.
The Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday, as Hezbollah leaders met at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said six people were killed and 91 injured in the strikes, which flattened six apartment buildings.
Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the situation in Lebanon as extremely dangerous and said the Middle East region was at risk of falling into a “spiral of absolute violence”.
“The situation seriously threatens the stability of the region and that of Lebanon, which never serves the security and interests of Israel,” she said in a message published on X.
France
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs said it was in contact with the Lebanese authorities in order to avoid any further destabilization.
Former MEP and leader of La France insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, known for his pro-Palestinian positions, declared that the assassination of Nasrallah “is a further step towards the invasion of Lebanon and general war.”
“France no longer counts on the spot. Netanyahu’s crimes will continue since they go unpunished. The danger is extreme for the region and the world,” he wrote on X.
Italy
In a brief statement, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani made no direct reference to Mr Nasrallah’s death, but urged all Italians in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.
“We ask all Italian citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible, also using the regular flights that continue to operate from Beirut airport to Milan and Rome,” he said in Cologne.
He also said Israel had guaranteed the security of more than 1,200 Italian troops stationed in southern Lebanon as part of a 10,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force.
Russia
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned the assassination of Mr Nasrallah and called on Israel to cease all hostilities in Lebanon.
“This show of force has serious consequences even more dramatic for Lebanon and the entire Middle East,” the ministry said.
Türkiye
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned Israeli attacks in Lebanon in what he called a policy of “genocide, occupation and invasion”.
In a post on X, Erdoğan said the Muslim world should demonstrate a more “determined” stance.
The United Nations
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said “seriously concerned” by what he called “the dramatic escalation” in Lebanon.
“This cycle of violence must end now and all parties must move back from the brink. The Lebanese people, the Israeli people, as well as the entire region, cannot afford an all-out war,” according to a statement from his office.
United States
US President Joe Biden said Nasrallah’s assassination was “a measure of justice for his many victimsincluding thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians.
Mr. Biden reaffirmed US support for Israel’s “right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and any other Iranian-backed terrorist group.”
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “settled its scores” with the assassination of Mr Nasrallah, calling it “historical turning point”.
“We settled our scores with the person responsible for the murder countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French people,” he said.
Iran
President Massoud Pezechkian said Nasrallah’s death “will only strengthen resistance“, adding that the United States could not deny its complicity.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of mourning and called on all Muslims to rise up against Israel.
He declared that Nasrallah’s death “will not go unanswered”.
Hamas
Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist and nationalist movement, classified as a terrorist organization by several countries, condemned the assassination of Mr. Nasrallah, calling it“cowardly terrorist act”.
“We condemn with the greatest firmness this barbaric Zionist aggression and targeting of residential buildings“, the group said in a statement.
“Faced with this Zionist crime and massacre, we renew our absolute solidarity and remain united with the brothers of Hezbollah and the Islamic resistance in Lebanon.”
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