IDF Operations Branch Details Covert Strikes, Including Nasrallah Assassination

The Israeli military's Operations Branch has been responsible for high-profile assassinations of top figures in Hamas and Hezbollah, including Hassan Nasrallah, as well as operations in Iran and Yemen. Colonel D., head of the branch, emphasized that surveillance of terrorist leaders is ongoing, stating, "We will reach any one of them, in Israel or abroad." The process involves real-time intelligence gathering, rapid response planning, and coordinating all forces for an operation.

The assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, which occurred on September 17, 2024, involved a significant airstrike on a bunker in Dahieh, Lebanon. Colonel D. described the attack, codenamed "New Order," as the most substantial operation against Nasrallah, who had long taunted Israel. The strike, utilizing 83 tons of bombs, killed Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah officials, including Southern Front commander Ali Karaki, and an Iranian general. The branch highlighted Nasrallah's alignment with Hamas following the October 7th attacks as a factor in his demise.

The Operations Branch coordinates special operations, bridging intelligence gathering with operational forces and collaborating with agencies like the Shin Bet and Mossad. Colonel D. described the planning of such operations as "multi-arena events" requiring close cooperation between military intelligence, the Air Force, Shin Bet, and police. These complex operations, often involving precise targeting, can take weeks or months to plan and execute.

Major A., head of the Special Operations section, explained the branch's role in maintaining constant readiness for emergent events, synchronizing needs between commands and the Air Force to ensure the military is prepared for any scenario. He noted that coordinating diverse assets for simultaneous events across different military commands presents a significant challenge, requiring operational flexibility.

The branch also identified the simultaneous detonation of thousands of Hezbollah pagers and communication devices across Lebanon and Syria in September 2024 as a pivotal event, significantly degrading Hezbollah's capabilities and paving the way for Nasrallah's assassination. This operation, described as "science fiction," was a precursor to further strikes against senior Hezbollah figures, including Ibrahim Aqil, and is seen as crucial for enabling the return of residents to northern Israel.