The crater left by the JDAM dropped by the IAF was massive (video snippet)

Report: Israel Eliminated Nasrallah Using US "Bunker Busters"

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The Judean Staff
National

On Friday, Israel executed a high-stakes operation that likely employed U.S.-made 2,000-pound munitions to eliminate the notorious Hezbollah leader, Hasan Nasrallah. This daring strike has shaken Hezbollah to its core, significantly degrading its leadership capabilities in what could be considered a monumental blow to the terror group operating out of southern Lebanon. The strike also underscores Israel’s commitment to eradicating threats posed by Hezbollah, an organization responsible for numerous attacks against the Israeli state.

Decimating Nasrallah's Stronghold: Precision and Devastation

Visual evidence released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has drawn widespread attention. Analysts who meticulously examined videos and photos of the strike, as reported by The Washington Post, concluded that the sheer scale of the destruction could only be the result of multiple 2,000-pound bombs. These bombs, believed to include the powerful U.S.-made BLU-109 warheads combined with Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits, were used to devastating effect. The precision with which these munitions were delivered sent shockwaves through Hezbollah's infrastructure, symbolically and physically.

Three independent military analysts have said over the weekend on X Spaces that the IDF's video footage showed Israeli F-15 fighter jets armed to the teeth with these heavy munitions. The sight of eight warplanes ascending into the sky, each carrying at least 16 bombs, paints a vivid picture of Israel's resolve. The sheer magnitude of the attack is reinforced by the IDF’s accompanying statement: “Air force planes eliminating Hasan Nasrallah and the Hezbollah headquarters in Lebanon.” This is not just a strike; it’s a monumental and calculated eradication of a leadership structure entrenched in the heart of Hezbollah’s operational territory.

The Weaponry Behind the Strike

At the core of this operation were the BLU-109 bombs, designed with penetrating power that is simply unmatched in modern warfare. Capable of breaking through up to six feet of reinforced concrete, these bombs were perfect for targeting Hezbollah’s highly fortified underground bunkers, a fact confirmed by Trevor Ball, a former U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal expert. The operation didn’t just destroy above-ground buildings; it crushed Hezbollah’s subterranean nerve centers.

Satellite images, videos, and photographs paint a grim picture of the aftermath. Two enormous structures were completely flattened, and the damage radiated over a thousand feet. This was not just a tactical strike—it was a decapitation strike aimed at disabling Hezbollah’s entire leadership and command structure. Nasrallah’s elimination was symbolic, but the message behind it was clear: No bunker is safe from the IDF’s reach.

Washington's Silence, Israel’s Precision

Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the Pentagon, declined to comment on specifics of the operation, referring all questions back to the IDF. Meanwhile, an IDF spokesperson confirmed that “dozens of munitions hit the target within seconds with very high precision, required to strike deep underground sites.” Israel’s precision has long been recognized as one of the hallmarks of its military strategy, and this strike once again validated that reputation.

Curiously, U.S. officials indicated they received no prior warning of the attack, highlighting Israel’s fierce independence when dealing with existential threats. This deliberate isolation of operational details exemplifies Israel’s trust in its capabilities to defend itself against those who seek its destruction.

Aftermath: A Devastated Stronghold

The scene left behind in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, long known as a Hezbollah stronghold, was one of utter devastation. Videos captured the terrifying moments as four enormous columns of smoke and debris rose high into the sky, eerily reminiscent of a volcanic eruption. The scale of destruction was staggering—dozens of feet wide plumes towering over the smoldering ruins below, leaving nothing but wreckage where Nasrallah’s command center once stood. Additional munitions were dropped in quick succession, adding to the already catastrophic damage. Fireballs exploded, engulfing the entire area in flames.

Initial reports from the site describe a landscape reduced to rubble. “It’s a mess of a site,” said Ball, reflecting on the aftermath. Satellite imagery revealed deep craters where the buildings once stood, the result of the 2,000-pound bombs tearing through Hezbollah’s heavily protected infrastructure. One can only imagine the terror on the ground as civilians and militants alike were caught in the firestorm.

Israel’s Use of "Daisy-Chaining" Tactics

Military experts noted Israel’s implementation of a complex but effective strategy known as “daisy chaining.” This technique involves releasing a series of powerful munitions in rapid succession, aimed at overwhelming heavily fortified targets. The Pentagon official interviewed by The Washington Post explained that daisy-chaining with bombs of this size is a common tactic in decapitation strikes. First, the bunker-buster bombs destroy the building's structure, allowing the follow-up explosives to penetrate deep underground, ensuring no one survives beneath the rubble.

This was not just an aerial bombardment—it was an orchestrated demolition of Hezbollah’s powerbase.

Casualties Mount: Lebanon in Crisis

The scale of the attack goes beyond military achievement. Lebanese officials report staggering casualties, with 1,030 people dead and over 6,300 wounded since the escalation began in mid-September. Health Minister Firass Abiad confirmed these numbers in a press conference, but the statistics fail to distinguish between combatants and civilians. The chaotic situation in Lebanon is exacerbated by Hezbollah’s notorious tactic of embedding itself within civilian populations, making it difficult to assess the full toll of this strike.

Yet, this does not detract from the monumental impact of Israel’s operation. For Hezbollah, the loss of Nasrallah and the destruction of its command center represent a crippling blow to the organization’s ability to wage war against Israel. While the world watches and debates the fallout, Israel remains resolute in its stance: It will continue to defend itself with overwhelming force whenever its existence is threatened.

This strike was more than just an attack—it was a clear message to Hezbollah, to Lebanon, and to the world. Israel has demonstrated, once again, that it will not hesitate to eliminate existential threats, employing unmatched military precision and devastating firepower to ensure its survival. The Middle East is on notice: No one is beyond the reach of the Israeli Defense Forces.

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