Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black vowed support for Hezbollah at the Beirut funeral of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday, after the group was dealt major blows in its last round of hostilities with Israel.
Hassan Nasrallah, born on August 31, 1960, in Beirut, Lebanon, emerged as a pivotal figure in Middle Eastern politics through his leadership of Hezbollah.
His journey from a young cleric to a symbol of resistance against Israel and the United States is marked by significant events that have shaped Lebanon and the broader region.
Early life and education
Nasrallah was the eldest of nine children in a Shia family originally from the village of Bassouriyeh in southern Lebanon.
During the Lebanese civil war, his family relocated back to their ancestral village, where Nasrallah’s engagement with religious studies deepened.
He joined the Amal Movement, a Shia political organization, and later pursued Islamic studies in the city of Tyre.
Recognizing his dedication, the local imam provided him with a recommendation to study under Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr in Najaf, Iraq.
In 1976, Nasrallah traveled to Najaf to further his religious education.
However, in 1978, amid political tensions, he and many other Lebanese students were expelled from Iraq by the Baathist regime.
Upon returning to Lebanon, Nasrallah continued his theological studies in Baalbek and later in Qom, Iran, solidifying his religious foundation.
Political involvement
The Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 was a turning point for Nasrallah.
Disillusioned with the Amal Movement’s approach, he joined a group of like-minded individuals to form Hezbollah, aiming to resist Israeli occupation and promote Shia political interests.
Nasrallah quickly ascended the ranks, known for his strategic acumen and oratory skills.
Rise to leadership
In 1992, following the assassination of then-Hezbollah leader Abbas al-Musawi by Israeli forces, Nasrallah was appointed as the organization’s Secretary-General.
Under his leadership, Hezbollah expanded its military capabilities and social services, gaining significant influence within Lebanon.
Nasrallah’s tenure saw the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon in 2000, a move he hailed as a victory for the resistance.
Under his leadership, Hezbollah evolved into Iran’s most powerful regional proxy, playing pivotal roles in conflicts across Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, while maintaining a steady influx of Iranian weapons and funding.
Major events during leadership
2006 Lebanon War: A cross-border raid by Hezbollah led to a 34-day conflict with Israel, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage in Lebanon.
Syrian Civil War: Hezbollah’s involvement in supporting the Assad regime drew both regional condemnation and support, affecting its standing in the Arab world.
2023 Israel-Hamas Conflict: Nasrallah aligned Hezbollah with Hamas during escalated tensions, further entrenching the organization’s anti-Israel stance.
Assassination and aftermath
On September 27, 2024, Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Hezbollah bunker in the Haret Hreik suburb of Beirut.
Many men, women and children from Lebanon and beyond walked on foot in the biting cold to reach the site of the ceremony, that was delayed for months over security concerns.
The operation involved extensive bombing, leading to his death and that of other senior Hezbollah figures, reports BBC.
Hezbollah’s supporters mourned the loss of their leader, while adversaries viewed it as a significant blow to the organization.
In the immediate aftermath, Naim Qassem, Nasrallah’s deputy, assumed leadership, vowing to continue the path set by his predecessor.
