On 27 September 2024, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, one of the most influential Arab leaders of the modern Middle East, was killed at the age of 64 during a powerful Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut. His assassination has sent shockwaves through Lebanon, the Arab world, and beyond. As the leader of Hezbollah, Nasrallah left an indelible mark on Lebanese politics, the Arab resistance, and the broader regional landscape.
The Rise of Hezbollah Under Nasrallah
Nasrallah’s legacy stretches far beyond Lebanon. Under his leadership, Hezbollah transformed from a localized armed movement into Lebanon’s most powerful political party. In the 2018 parliamentary elections, Hezbollah secured more than 340,000 preferential votes, the highest for any party in the country’s post-independence history. This political power was accompanied by military might, with Nasrallah famously stating in 2021 that Hezbollah had amassed a force of 100,000 fighters, positioning the organization as one of the most formidable non-state military groups worldwide.
Hezbollah’s military successes against Israel have earned it significant regional influence and popularity. It remains the only Arab force—state or non-state—to successfully force Israel to retreat from an occupied Arab country. This military achievement solidified Nasrallah’s status as a key figure in the broader Arab Axis of Resistance, which includes Hamas, Ansar Allah in Yemen, and numerous Iraqi paramilitary groups.
A Leader in the Axis of Resistance
Nasrallah’s role as a leader in the Axis of Resistance extended his influence beyond Lebanon. Iran, Hezbollah's key ally, has used the group as a means to project its power across the region. Alongside Hamas and other militant factions, Hezbollah has remained a thorn in Israel’s side, especially concerning the Palestinian issue and the defense of Gaza.
Despite being classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia, Hezbollah’s military wing continues to receive support and diplomatic ties from nations like China and Russia, which maintain neutral or supportive stances towards the group.
The Early Years of Nasrallah: A Life of Struggle
Born in 1960 to a poor Shia family in the impoverished Sharshabouk district of east Beirut’s Karantina, Nasrallah was shaped by the turbulent environment of post-colonial Lebanon. His political consciousness was forged during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, which saw Beirut besieged for 10 weeks and resulted in the deaths of over 20,000 Lebanese and Palestinians, primarily civilians. The invasion aimed to expel the PLO and install a pro-Israeli government in Lebanon, but it also planted the seeds for the rise of Hezbollah, a group that would later force Israel out of Lebanon.
Why Was Nasrallah Targeted?
Nasrallah’s stance on Palestine and his uncompromising support for Gaza positioned him as a direct adversary to Israel. His speeches, often viewed by millions across the Arab world, echoed calls for resistance against Israeli occupation and foreign interference in the region. Whatever one’s political stance on Nasrallah, his assassination is undoubtedly tied to his role as a defender of Gaza and an opponent of Israeli aggression.
The Broader Geopolitical Implications
The killing of Nasrallah is part of a wider pattern of targeted assassinations, which includes the 2020 U.S. drone strike on Qasem Soleimani, the 2024 assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, and the recent killing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. These eliminations form part of a concerted effort to dismantle the resistance movements aligned against Israel and the U.S..
But who stands to gain from this sequence of high-profile killings? The primary beneficiaries are undoubtedly Israel and its Western allies, who seek to neutralize military threats in the region. However, the removal of these figures could also have unintended consequences, galvanizing more extreme factions and destabilizing an already volatile region.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the next logical targets may include leaders from Iraq or Yemen who continue to resist foreign influence. Figures like Abdul-Malik al-Houthi of Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement could be potential future targets. As Israel continues its efforts to weaken Arab resistance, the Axis of Resistance may adapt, growing stronger with each loss.
The Global Role: U.S., Israel, and Beyond
The involvement of the United States in these assassinations, through both logistical and military support, is clear. The U.S. benefits by reducing the military and political clout of groups aligned against it. Europe, while publicly condemning some of these assassinations, largely remains supportive of Israel’s security actions. On the other hand, China and Russia maintain more neutral positions, sometimes engaging diplomatically with Hezbollah and other resistance factions. Gulf states like UAE and Saudi Arabia have also moved towards normalizing relations with Israel, prioritizing economic interests over the Palestinian cause.
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un
The assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah represents more than the death of a leader; it symbolizes the ongoing struggle between resistance and occupation in the Middle East. His legacy, like those of Soleimani and Haniyeh, will continue to shape the geopolitical dynamics of the region for years to come.
Written by: Syed Salman Mehdi
📧 Email: salmanmehdi128@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/multithinker
Posts
