Hezbollah Remembers Its Leader on the Anniversary of His Death
BEIRUT: Hezbollah will hold a memorial on Saturday to mark one year since the death of its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. This event marked the beginning of a conflict that left much of Lebanon devastated and significantly weakened Hezbollah.
On the evening of September 27, 2024, a series of Israeli bombs struck a Hezbollah facility in the southern suburbs of Beirut, killing Nasrallah, who had led the group for over 30 years.
Following Nasrallah’s death, the group faced severe challenges, including the death of his successor, Hashem Safieddine, just weeks later. By December, the situation escalated further as Hezbollah’s ally in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad, was ousted. Amid these changes, there is growing pressure on Hezbollah to disarm, a request the group has firmly rejected.
Nasrallah became the head of Hezbollah in 1992 at the young age of 35, stepping in after the assassination of his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi, by Israel. His dynamic speeches quickly made him the face of the group, which was initially created by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to oppose Israeli forces.
Under his leadership, Hezbollah successfully pushed Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon in 2000 and celebrated what they called a “Divine Victory” during the intense conflict with Israel in 2006. This earned him respect across the Arab world, where many had witnessed Israel’s military dominance.
Hezbollah later confirmed Nasrallah’s death following the Israeli attack. As the group gained influence in Lebanon, it also played a significant role in regional politics, notably supporting Syria and training Houthi forces in Yemen.
After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah responded by launching attacks from southern Lebanon, sparking ongoing skirmishes. Israel escalated its military actions with airstrikes and ground operations, which led to the deaths of over 4,000 people during the conflict, including many children. Although a truce was declared, Israel continues to conduct airstrikes in Lebanon.
The violence surrounding Nasrallah’s death delayed his burial for several months. His grave has since become a place of pilgrimage for his followers, including his son.
On the anniversary of his death, large crowds are anticipated in Hezbollah’s strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs and other regions. Naim Qassem, who took over leadership after Nasrallah’s passing, is expected to address the gathering.
Tensions have risen this week as Hezbollah projected portraits of Nasrallah and Safieddine on the famous Raouché rocks in Beirut, despite a request from Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to refrain from such political displays. This has angered many opponents of Hezbollah, who believe that the site should not be used for political purposes.
