Israel said on Saturday it killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Describing Nasrallah as "one of the greatest enemies of the State of Israel," the Israeli military claimed that his elimination "makes the world a safer place."

The Israeli military confirmed that Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for 32 years, was killed in Friday's airstrike in Beirut, the stronghold of the Iran-backed group. Hezbollah confirmed his death on Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Nasrallah’s death was retribution for the killing of Israelis and other foreign nationals, including Americans. He added that had Nasrallah survived, he would have rapidly rebuilt Hezbollah’s operational strength.

U.S. President Joe Biden called Nasrallah's death a "measure of justice," reasserting the stance of the U.S., which supplies arms to Israel.

After Nasrallah’s death, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that the killing of Hezbollah leaders would not weaken the group while declaring public mourning in Iran.

Iran also called for a UNSC meeting, warning against any threats or attacks on its diplomatic personnel and embassies.

In a letter to the UNSC's 15-member body, Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stressed Tehran's commitment to defending its vital national interests.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited after the Gaza war broke out, following a Hamas-led attack on Israeli towns on October 7.

Hezbollah, a close ally of Hamas and also supported by Iran, began clashing with Israel across the Lebanese border, further intensifying the regional strife.

Over 1,000 people have died in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in the past two weeks as fighting escalates between Israel and Hezbollah.