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'Iran spy tipped off Israel about Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's location before airstrike'

Israel killed another Hezbollah leader after Nasrallah’s death. Lebanon says diplomatic efforts are underway to achieve a ceasefire

Shiite Muslims light candles during a protest against the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Pakistan | AP

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's death in a targeted Israeli airstrike on Friday was a huge setback for Hezbollah amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Reportedly, an Iranian spy revealed the Hezbollah chief's location to the Israeli authorities hours before the strike. 

Citing a source, the French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the Iranian spy informed the Israeli authorities about Hezbollah's meeting to be held in underground headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs. The spy also gave the information that Nasrallah, along with several top commanders of the organisation will be taking part in the meeting. 

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Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Saturday said "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world." Hezbollah confirmed the chief's death and vowed to continue the fight. 

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei urged all the resistance forces to stand with Hezbollah. After Nasrallah's death, Khamenei was moved to a secure location in the wake of Israel's intensified attacks against Hezbollah. 

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Another Hezbollah leader was killed by Israeli airstrike on Sunday. Nabik Kaouk was the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council. He was the group's military commander in southern Lebanon from 1995 to 2010. 

Meanwhile, Lebanon's Information Minister Ziad Makary during a cabinet meeting on Sunday said diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions. "It is certain that the Lebanese government wants a ceasefire, and everyone knows that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu went to New York based on the premise of a ceasefire, but the decision was made to assassinate Nasrallah," said Makary. 

He also added that the matters at hand are not easy and the diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire are ongoing.