Who was Hassan Nasrallah? A deep dive into Hezbollah's longstanding leader Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday alongside several commanders of the powerful Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary force which he led for 32 years.
Early life and rise to power
🔶 Humble beginnings: Born in 1960 in Beirut, Hassan Nasrallah was the eldest of nine children in a poor, not particularly religious family of greengrocers. His family fled Beirut in 1975 at the start of the Lebanese Civil War. In 1978, Nasrallah joined the Amal Movement, a Shia political and militia group founded by Iranian-Lebanese cleric Musa al-Sadr.
🔶 Joining Hezbollah: In 1982, Nasrallah transitioned to Hezbollah, a newly-formed, Iran-backed militia established to resist the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. His quick rise within the ranks led him to become chief of Hezbollah’s executive council by 1985.
Mentorship and leadership Nasrallah’s ties with Shia leaders and revolutionary figures during his travels in Iraq and Iran in the 70s and 80s set him up for greater roles. In 1992, after the assassination of Abbas al-Musawi, Hezbollah's then-leader and Nasrallah’s mentor, Nasrallah took over the leadership. He vowed to continue al-Musawi’s path, stating, “We will continue this path…even if we are martyred, all of us and our houses demolished over our heads, we will not abandon the choice of the Islamic Resistance.”
Nasrallah led Hezbollah for more than 30 years, shaping it into a major political and military force.
Military strategy and resistance 🔶 Building Hezbollah’s Military Power: Under Nasrallah, Hezbollah grew into one of the most formidable militias in the Middle East. It adopted guerrilla warfare tactics while incorporating special operations units, like the elite Radwan Force, and expanded its capabilities with long-range rockets, missiles, and drones. By 2021, Nasrallah claimed that Hezbollah’s strength had reached 100,000 fighters.
🔶 Resistance against Israel: Hezbollah's military victories against Israel became Nasrallah's key legacy. In 2000, Hezbollah forced Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon after years of guerrilla warfare. In 2006, during the Lebanon War, Hezbollah held off Israeli forces, earning it widespread popularity among supporters as the only Arab armed force to push back the IDF.
Political transformation and diplomacy 🔶 Institutionalizing Hezbollah: Nasrallah played a crucial role in embedding Hezbollah into Lebanon's political life. Under his leadership, the party participated in elections, winning 12 parliamentary seats in 1992 and 15 seats by 2022, making it a significant player in Lebanese politics. He also altered Hezbollah’s platform in 2009 to focus on resistance to external enemies, and dropped the goal of creating an Islamic republic in Lebanon, out of respect for the country's religious diversity.
🔶 Diplomatic ties: At the international level, Hezbollah forged diplomatic ties unusual for a non-state actor of its stature, becoming a key member of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance. And although the US, its European allies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries list the group as a ‘terrorist organization’, Hezbollah maintains cordial contacts with rising global powers, including Russia and China, in no small part thanks to Nasrallah’s diplomacy and moderating influence.
Legacy and final years🔶 Unyielding in resistance: Even in the last months of his life, Nasrallah continued to support Palestinian fighters and lead Hezbollah in clashes with Israeli forces. His fiery speeches inspired many, and he remained a steadfast figure of resistance until his reported death in an Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2024.
🔶 Personal life: Known for his personal modesty, Nasrallah earned a salary of just $1,300 per month. He is survived by his wife and two children, with his son Muhammad Hadi dying in a clash with Israeli forces in 1997.
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