Flights canceled, gatherings limited as Israel braces for response to Nasrallah killing
Army spokesman says instructions could be updated further after Hezbollah confirms death of its leader in Friday strike
Israel was braced Saturday for Hezbollah to retaliate for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, after the terror group confirmed his death in an Israeli airstrike the previous day.
In a statement to the media, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the Home Front Command was issuing restrictions on gatherings in central Israel.
Gatherings were restricted to 1,000 people in various areas of central Israel, including Tel Aviv. He said further updates to restrictions would be announced if needed.
The instructions were expected to largely prevent the weekly demonstrations in the city demanding a hostage deal with Hamas and new elections, though protests could still be held in other areas of the country, including Jerusalem.
Many flights to and from Israel were facing delays and cancellations amid the fear of attack, according to Ben Gurion Airport’s flight schedule.
In northern Israel more severe limitations remained in place, with gatherings limited to 10 people in the open and 150 inside, and work and educational activity only allowed with shelter facilities at hand.
Hezbollah confirmed Saturday afternoon that leader Hassan Nasrallah had been killed, after the Israeli military said it had eliminated him in an airstrike in Beirut the day before.
His death marks a devastating blow to Hezbollah, as it reels from an intense campaign of Israeli attacks. It is also a huge blow to Iran, removing an influential ally who helped build Hezbollah into the linchpin of Tehran’s constellation of allied groups in the Arab world.
Hezbollah said in a statement that it would continue its battle against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.”
Despite Israel’s punishing campaign against the terror group in recent weeks, which has seen its senior commanders eliminated in rapid succession, the organization has so far not mounted a significant assault on Israel. Though rocket barrages on the north remain constant, the country’s center and south have largely not been targeted.
However, Israeli defense officials warn that though wounded, Hezbollah maintains significant capabilities that could pose a real threat.
