Hassan Nasrallah, the long-serving leader of Hezbollah, was assassinated on 27th September 2024 in an Israeli airstrike, marking a critical turning point for the organization. Known for his role in transforming Hezbollah into a formidable political and military force in the Middle East, Nasrallah’s death raises questions about the group’s future leadership and alliances. This article explores Nasrallah’s legacy, Hezbollah’s supporters and opponents, and the possible successor who could lead the group forward.
Who Was Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah was a longstanding adversary of Israel and a major figure in regional conflicts, leading Hezbollah’s operations for decades. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah received substantial military support from Iran, transforming it into a formidable political and military organization. This influence made him one of the most consequential figures in the Middle East.
Nasrallah was born in Beirut in 1960 as the eldest of nine children. He began his political journey with the Amal Movement, a Shia group, in 1975. After studying religious subjects abroad, Nasrallah returned to Lebanon and rejoined the Amal Movement. He left the group in 1982, after Israel’s attack on Lebanon, and joined Hezbollah—a militant group that had emerged with the support of Iran. By the age of 32, Nasrallah had become Hezbollah’s leader after the death of Abbas al-Musawi, Hezbollah’s previous chief, in an Israeli attack.
Nasrallah wielded considerable influence across the region, forging close alliances with Iran, the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and armed groups in Iraq and Yemen. His leadership turned Hezbollah into a more formidable military force than even the Lebanese army. However, Nasrallah faced constant threats from Israel, which forced him into hiding for many years.
Against Israel
Under Nasrallah’s command, Hezbollah engaged in multiple high-profile conflicts with Israel. After Abbas al-Musawi’s assassination, Nasrallah led Hezbollah in a series of retaliatory attacks. Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, while an Israeli embassy official in Turkey was assassinated, and a suicide bombing at the Israeli embassy in Argentina claimed 29 lives. These attacks marked Hezbollah as a potent force against Israeli interests.
In 2006, Hezbollah sparked a war by crossing into Israel and attacking Israeli soldiers. Eight soldiers were killed, and the conflict quickly escalated into the 34-day Lebanon War. By the end of this conflict, 1,125 Lebanese citizens and 119 Israeli soldiers had lost their lives. Despite the heavy toll, Nasrallah emerged from the war unscathed, with his leadership cemented in Hezbollah’s ranks.
In subsequent years, Nasrallah continued to strengthen Hezbollah’s military and political influence. In 2009, he released Hezbollah’s political manifesto, which formally outlined the organization’s goals. He also extended Hezbollah’s military activities to Syria, sending fighters to support the Assad regime during the Syrian Civil War. This move, backed by Iran, drew criticism from Sunni political leaders in Lebanon, who opposed Hezbollah’s growing involvement in regional conflicts.
The Final Chapter
Following Hamas’s attacks on Israel in October 2023, Hezbollah openly declared its support for Hamas, further escalating tensions with Israel. In response, Israel launched a series of attacks targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure in Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties. During this offensive, on 27th September 2024, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in a heavy missile strike on Dahieh, southern Beirut. The strike marked a critical turning point for Hezbollah, leading to the destruction of multiple buildings, including its central command.
Hezbollah’s Objectives and Core Policies
Hezbollah, or the “Party of God,” is a Shiite militant group and political organization that was founded in the early 1980s during the Lebanese Civil War. Formed largely in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Hezbollah emerged with the support of Iran and has since grown to become a key player in Lebanese politics and regional conflicts. The organization maintains both a military wing, separate from Lebanon’s national army, and a political wing, which is represented in Lebanon’s parliament.
Key Objectives of Hezbollah
- Resistance Against Israel: One of Hezbollah’s core goals is to resist Israeli influence and occupation in Lebanon. This objective has defined much of Hezbollah’s operations, including the 2006 Lebanon War.
- Establishing an Islamic State: In its early years, Hezbollah sought to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon modeled on Iran’s Islamic Republic. However, in light of Lebanon’s religious diversity, Hezbollah has downplayed this objective, instead opting to work within the Lebanese political system to promote coexistence.
- Regional Influence and Support for Allies: Hezbollah aims to support pro-Iranian forces across the Middle East, providing military and logistical backing to Syria’s government during the civil war, and supporting other Shiite groups in Iraq and Yemen.
Hezbollah’s Policies and Strategy
- Anti-Israel and Anti-Western Stance: Hezbollah’s staunch opposition to Israel is central to its identity. It characterizes Israel as an occupying force and calls for the liberation of Jerusalem. Additionally, Hezbollah opposes U.S. influence in the Middle East and frames its actions as part of a broader resistance to Western powers.
- Social Welfare Initiatives: Besides its military activities, Hezbollah also manages an extensive network of social services within Lebanon, including hospitals, schools, and welfare programs. These initiatives have been instrumental in gaining support from Lebanon’s economically disadvantaged Shiite communities.
- Political Participation: Over the years, Hezbollah has grown from a militant group to a significant political entity in Lebanon, holding seats in parliament and participating in government coalitions. This allows Hezbollah to influence domestic policy while maintaining its independent military operations.
- Alignment with Iran: Ideologically, Hezbollah aligns closely with Iran. It follows the principle of Wilayat al-Faqih, or “Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist,” which underpins Iran’s political system. Hezbollah’s leadership, particularly its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, has emphasized loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
As a Terrorist Organization
Hezbollah’s dual role as both a military force and political actor has resulted in mixed recognition on the global stage. While the organization enjoys considerable support among some Shiite communities, many Western and regional countries have designated it as a terrorist organization.
Countries Designating Hezbollah as a Terrorist Group:
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—formally classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2016.
- Other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, Israel, Netherlands, Japan, Argentina, Colombia, and Honduras, have also classified Hezbollah as a terrorist group.
- The European Union differentiates between Hezbollah’s political and military wings, designating only the latter as a terrorist organization. This distinction is controversial, as many countries view Hezbollah as a unified organization.
Recognition in the Arab League and International Supporters
Out of the 22 members of the Arab League, only Lebanon and Syria officially recognize Hezbollah as a legitimate political entity. These countries view Hezbollah as an integral part of the Lebanese government and a resistance movement rather than a terrorist group. Other members generally oppose Hezbollah or maintain a neutral stance without formal recognition.
Supporters of Hezbollah:
- Lebanon and Syria: Hezbollah is deeply integrated into Lebanese politics and maintains strong ties with Syria, which provides military support and coordination.
- Iran: Iran remains Hezbollah’s main financial and military supporter, viewing it as an essential ally to extend its influence in the Middle East.
- Russia and China: While not officially listing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, Russia and China maintain diplomatic relations and cooperate with Hezbollah, especially in Syria.
- Venezuela: Under both former President Hugo Chávez and current leadership, Venezuela has maintained relationships with Hezbollah, often positioning itself in opposition to U.S. foreign policy.
- Iraq: Shia militias in Iraq, particularly those aligned with Iran, also support Hezbollah as a legitimate resistance force.
It is notable that while the GCC allies, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as around 20 countries in the Arab League, do not recognize Hezbollah, prominent countries like India have not actively designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group, indirectly recognizing its political activities in Lebanon.
What’s Next for Hezbollah? Who Will Lead?
The death of Hassan Nasrallah marks a pivotal moment in the protracted conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. As one of the most powerful figures in Middle Eastern geopolitics, Nasrallah’s leadership shaped Hezbollah’s resistance against Israel, forged alliances with regional militant groups, and cemented Hezbollah’s complex role within Lebanon’s political landscape. Hezbollah’s actions have elicited both support and criticism, solidifying its status as a powerful yet polarizing force in the region. The group’s political and military influence continues to play a significant role in shaping the Middle East’s geopolitical dynamics.
The key question that has now arisen following Nasrallah’s death is: who will lead Hezbollah? Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for 32 years, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, leaving the Lebanese militant group facing a leadership vacuum. In addition to Nasrallah, Israel also eliminated several high-ranking figures in Hezbollah’s leadership. Given these circumstances, the question of who will assume control of Hezbollah has become even more pressing.
According to international media reports, Hashim Safi al-Din is considered the most likely successor to Nasrallah. Safi al-Din, who is a relative of Nasrallah and serves as the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, plays a key role in overseeing the group’s political and economic activities. Born in 1964, Safi al-Din has close ties to Iran, which further strengthens his candidacy, as Iran is Hezbollah’s primary backer.
Safi al-Din received his religious education in Qom, a prominent center for religious studies in Iran. Additionally, his family connections are noteworthy—his son Ridha is married to the daughter of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. In 2017, Safi al-Din was designated as a terrorist by the United States, and Saudi Arabia has also imposed sanctions against him.
The leadership transition in Hezbollah following Nasrallah’s death will have significant implications not only for the group itself but also for the broader region, as Hezbollah continues to be a critical player in Middle Eastern conflicts.
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