Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of Hezbollah, has been confirmed dead after an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. Hezbollah, a militant Shia Islamist movement based in Lebanon, acknowledged his death after Israel claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nasrallah, 64, had been in charge of Hezbollah for over three decades and was one of the most influential figures in the Middle East. Due to assassination threats from Israel, he had not appeared in public for many years. Under his leadership, Hezbollah grew from a militia fighting Israeli occupation in Lebanon to a formidable political and military force with significant influence in the region.
Hezbollah trained fighters for Palestinian groups like Hamas and militias in Iraq and Yemen and received military support from Iran. Nasrallah steered Hezbollah’s expansion, helping it become stronger than Lebanon’s national army, and heavily involved in Lebanese politics, social services, and health care.
Nasrallah’s leadership saw Hezbollah engage in various conflicts with Israel, including a significant one in 2006, and he played a key role in supporting Iran’s regional strategies. He was also involved in the Syrian Civil War, sending Hezbollah fighters to aid the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Born in Beirut in 1960, Nasrallah initially joined the Amal movement before co-founding Hezbollah in 1982. He rose through the ranks and became the group’s leader in 1992, following the assassination of his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, by Israel. Nasrallah was well known for his rhetoric against Israel and the U.S., and under his command, Hezbollah carried out numerous attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets.
In his last speech in November 2023, Nasrallah condemned Israel for attacks on Hezbollah members and announced that the group’s fighting with Israel was escalating in solidarity with the Palestinians. Following increased attacks, Israel launched further strikes, significantly impacting Hezbollah.
Nasrallah’s death marks a significant moment for Hezbollah and the region, as the group has lost its long-time leader.
