Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut Friday, according to the Israeli military. The strike targeted a meeting of Hezbollah leaders at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, southern Beirut, also killing Ali Karki, Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front, and several other commanders. Previous reports also stated that Nasrallah’s daughter, Zainab Nasrallah, was among those killed in the airstrike.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported six deaths, 91 injuries, and the destruction of six apartment buildings as a result of the strike.
Israel continued its intense airstrikes against Hezbollah on Saturday, as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel.
The Israeli military announced it was deploying additional reserve troops amid rising tensions with Lebanon. On Saturday morning, the military confirmed it was activating three battalions of reserve soldiers, following the earlier deployment of two brigades to northern Israel to prepare for a potential ground invasion.
The recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah began in mid-September when a series of attacks, attributed to Israel, targeted Hezbollah’s communication devices, killing at least 39 people and injuring thousands. In response, Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel on September 20. Israeli airstrikes followed, killing hundreds in Lebanon, marking the deadliest attacks since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Who Is Hassan Nasrallah?
Hassan Nasrallah, 64, is the leader of Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese militant group. For over three decades, he has shaped it into one of the most formidable paramilitary forces in the Middle East. Under his leadership, Hezbollah has engaged in wars against Israel and participated in the Syrian conflict, playing a significant role in shifting the balance of power in favor of President Bashar al-Assad.
A skilled strategist, Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah into Israel’s primary adversary, solidifying alliances with Shiite religious leaders in Iran and Palestinian militant groups like Hamas.
Idolized by his Lebanese Shiite followers and held in high regard by millions across the Arab and Islamic world, Nasrallah holds the title of sayyid, a mark of honor indicating his descent from Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam.
Known for his fiery speeches, Nasrallah is seen as an extremist in the U.S. and much of the West, yet is considered a pragmatist compared to the militants who led Hezbollah after its formation in 1982 during Lebanon’s civil war.
Despite his influence, Nasrallah has spent much of his life in hiding due to fears of being targeted by Israeli assassination attempts.
Rise To Power
Born in 1960 in a poor Shiite family in Beirut, Nasrallah moved to southern Lebanon, studying theology and joining the Amal movement before co-founding Hezbollah in 1982. Established by Iranian Revolutionary Guards to resist Israel, Hezbollah became Iran’s first proxy to spread political Islam.
Nasrallah became Hezbollah's leader in 1992 after Sayyed Abbas Musawi was killed. Under his leadership, Hezbollah led the resistance that forced Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 after 18 years of occupation. Nasrallah’s son, Hadi, died fighting Israeli forces in 1997. His influence grew as Hezbollah's media spread his speeches across Lebanon and the Arab world.
His status was further solidified in 2006 when Hezbollah fought Israel to a stalemate in a 34-day war. Despite losing popularity in parts of the Arab world, Hezbollah intervened in Syria’s civil war in 2011, backing Assad’s regime.
Nasrallah’s Stand In The Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
A day after the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli military positions along the border, calling it a “backup front” for Gaza. Nasrallah claimed these strikes diverted Israeli forces from Hamas and vowed to continue attacks until a Gaza ceasefire is reached.
Despite rising tensions, Nasrallah maintained a defiant stance as Israel escalated the conflict, aiming to push Hezbollah away from the border to allow displaced northern Israelis to return. Israeli strikes killed top Hezbollah commanders and were blamed for an explosion involving Hezbollah communications devices, which caused 37 deaths and thousands of injuries.
