Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah: A Political Analysis of the Leader and Conflict with Israel
On Friday, Israel carried out a pinpoint military strike at Hezbollah’s central headquarters in the southern suburb of Beirut’s Dahiyeh. The attack was concentrated on six buildings in the Harek Hreik district and caused massive loss of lives, showing a severe escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Tremendous concerns have been raised about Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and his role in the group.
Who is Hassan Nasrallah? How did he come to power, and what role has Hezbollah played in the Israel-Lebanon conflict? How has this group come to play such an important role in Middle Eastern geopolitics?
Israeli Strike: What Happened?
The IDF spokesperson confirmed that Israel carried out a “precise strike” targeting the central headquarters of Hezbollah by a televised statement by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. “The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a precise strike on the Central headquarters of the Hezbollah terror organization… taking the necessary action to protect our people so that Israeli families can live in their homes, safely and securely,” Hagari added.
The targeted buildings in the Harek Hreik district have long been known to be associated with Hezbollah’s operational base. In an interesting twist, several media reports at the time of the strike pointed out that Nasrallah was in the general vicinity. This has fueled far-reaching speculations that Nasrallah might have been the intended target.
Conflicting reports emerged about the fate of Nasrallah after the strike. Sources report that he was not hurt, although much is not clear. One close to Hezbollah says Reuters reported Nasrallah “is fine” and not hurt by the strike. A further senior Iranian official reported that Tehran is checking on the condition of Nasrallah to verify his safety. As of yet, there has been no public statement released by the Hezbollah party regarding his condition.
Who is Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah is the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, a post he has occupied since 1992 following his predecessor’s assassination by the Israeli army. Nasrallah was born in the Beirut’s Burj Hammud district on August 31, 1960, to a big Shia family. He had eight siblings, and his father was a grocer. Religious studies initiated at a young age formed the basis of his political and military career.
Childhood and Rise Through the Ranks of Hezbollah
Nasrallah began his political career in the Amal Movement, which is a political and paramilitary Shia organization attempting to represent the rights of the Shia population in Lebanon. It was in 1982 when the invasion of Lebanon by Israel led to the formation of Hezbollah by Nasrallah along with other prominent figures, given the support of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The support given to Hezbollah by Iran became a watershed moment in establishing itself as a power authority in Lebanon.
In 1985, Hezbollah published an open letter in which it labeled the United States and Israel as the main enemies of Islam. It issued a call for the destruction of Israel because it had occupied Muslim territories. Under Nasrallah, ideology and opposition to Israel became strategic policies of Hezbollah.
Nasrallah Leadership and the Transformation of Hezbollah
Nasrallah has transformed Hezbollah into a powerful military and political force in the Middle East since assuming leadership in 1992. He commands a Hezbollah that stretches its wings to have an influence both through armed resistance against forces of Israeli occupation and through participation in Lebanese politics.
Nasrallah’s oratory skills and fame as a powerful speaker make him highly inspiring to his followers. With most of the speeches delivered secretly due to security reasons, the fire from the mouth does not dissipate even a little; actually, it has increased the courage among people. He has an enormous following all over Lebanon and within the wider region; his speeches are thus relayed on every frequency in Lebanon and beyond.
While he is now threatened again by Israeli ground troops with the purpose of probably assassinating him, Nasrallah has always rejected such killing rumors. In a 2014 interview quoted in Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, he says: “The point of security measures is that movement be kept secret, but that doesn’t stop me from moving around and seeing what is happening.” Nasrallah’s eldest son was killed by Israeli troops in 1997 while fighting for Hezbollah.
Hezbollah’s Position in the War between Lebanon and Israel
Hezbollah was founded in the early 1980s in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. In general, the goal of the group was the removal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, where they had been stationed since the 1982 invasion. The result of Hezbollah’s campaign of resistance was Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000-an event that Nasrallah described as a “divine victory.” The ending was 18 years of occupation, and Hezbollah became the strongest force within the Arab world.
The 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War
In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel clashed in a devastating 34-day war with heavy tolls in casualties on both sides. The first large-scale destruction in Lebanon and colossal loss of lives were the results of this war, started after Hezbollah took two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. As Israel tried to crush Hezbollah’s military capabilities, the war concluded without a bright victory. On his part, Nasrallah presented the war’s end as “victory” for Hezbollah since the Israeli forces could not reach any strategic objective in the war.
Since 2006, Hezbollah has exponentially increased its military capabilities and has received advanced weapons, including precision-guided missiles, from Iran. Hezbollah has also been tied to several regional conflicts, most notably the Syrian civil war, in which the group has fought with President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
Hezbollah Support for the Palestinian Cause
Nasrallah has always been on record as an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause. Hezbollah has, in this regard, marketed itself as the protector of Palestinian rights and has seen a potential alliance as a natural step toward thwarting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Nasrallah has continued to characterize Hezbollah’s participation in the confrontation between Israel and Hamas as part of its “backup front” for Gaza, where the organization targets the Israeli military posts on the Lebanese border through rocket attacks.
We are here paying the price for our front of support for Gaza, and for the Palestinian people, and our adoption of the Palestinian cause.” Hezbollah’s backing of Palestinian factions has even increased its reputation as a resistance movement from the perspective of many of the Arab world.
Specifically, it appears that the assault that led to the current conflict was not only an issue but a burning one between Hezbollah and Israel.
Rising Tensions Between Hezbollah and Israel
The most recent strike by Israel into Hezbollah’s central headquarters is said to leave a clear message about the growing rivalry between the two sides. Tel Aviv has made it clear that it is unnerved by the enhanced capacity of the Hezbollah army in Lebanon and, more so, along the Lebanon-Israeli border. In the past weeks, Tel Aviv has carried out a series of attacks targeting Hezbollah leaders and its military apparatus. Tel Aviv forces have also reportedly destroyed what they called the main communication gadget linking pagers; according to pundits, these pagers are an essential gadget in enhancing coordination in carrying out Hezbollah’s operations.
Going by the previous developments, it is Israel that has compounded pressures against Nasrallah and Hezbollah. The focus on the leadership of Nasrallah now hits the headlines as Israel becomes more desperate to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence. Incidentally, as the attack recently hit Hezbollah, Nasrallah’s survival and the continued life of Hezbollah prove that the group is the test of time. Still, the vulnerability of the group unravels slowly as Israel maintains its military campaign.
Hezbollah-Israel Relations in the Future
The situation in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel remains stalemate, with neither side showing any immediate will to yield on the protracted struggle. Hezbollah appears adamant on what it wants- remaining a pivotal resistance force. Israel, on its part, has restated its resolve to continue targeting Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure to keep its citizenry at bay from emerging threats.
Nasrallah’s survival is crucial for Hezbollah. He has remained the most influential face of the organization for long, and if Nasrallah were to die, his death would probably have a big impact on the direction that Hezbollah will take in the future. Amidst the rising tensions, the region is on its toes, and more violence seems to be just around the corner.
Conclusion: Hassan Nasrallah’s Legacy
Hassan Nasrallah has been pivotal in transforming Hezbollah into a powerful military and political force. His leadership has steered the group towards several landmark achievements, including Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and its emergence as a significant regional player in the geopolitics of the Middle East. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how enduring the efforts of Hezbollah would be under a long conflict with Israel. When the pressures would again swell, the fate of Nasrallah’s survival and leadership would hold the key to the future trajectory of the group amidst the volatile landscape of the Middle East.
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