On May 25, 2000 the Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanon, marking Hezbollah’s most significant victory to date.
The following day, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah arrived in the small Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil. Dressed in brown and sporting a black scarf, the 39-year-old declared, “Israel may possess nuclear weapons, but it remains as weak as a spider’s web.”
Fast forward nearly 24 years to September 27, 2024, when Israel unleashed a torrent of explosives on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut.
In a video, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recalled Nasrallah’s long-ago statement, asserting, “Our enemies thought we were weak like a spider’s web, but we have nerves of steel.” Just hours later, the Israeli army confirmed that Nasrallah had been killed, declaring, “He will no longer terrorize the world.”
Why did Israel consider Nasrallah its greatest adversary? His journey from a poor Shia family to becoming the chief of Hezbollah tells a remarkable tale.
Born into Adversity
Hassan Nasrallah was born on August 31, 1960, into a struggling Shia family, the eldest of nine siblings. His father sold fruits and vegetables in the Shahrabouk area of Beirut. Nasrallah began his education in a Christian neighborhood, showing an early interest in religious matters, influenced by Imam Musa Sadr, who initiated a movement in 1974 to empower Lebanon’s Shia community.
Fighting Back
As civil war erupted in Lebanon, Nasrallah joined Sadr’s Amal movement at just 15, determined to defend southern Lebanon against Israeli incursions. When the fighting intensified, his family relocated to their ancestral village of Bjeourieh, where he was encouraged to pursue further studies. In December 1976, he moved to Najaf, Iraq, to study Islam, where he met Lebanese scholar Sayyed Abbas Mousawi.
After two years in Najaf, political unrest forced Nasrallah to return to Lebanon, where he engaged in the civil war. By now, tensions between Hezbollah and Amal were escalating, with Nasrallah advocating for a focus on resisting Israel.
Formation of Hezbollah
In 1979, following the Iranian Revolution, Nasrallah met with Iran’s leaders, who appointed him their representative in Lebanon. Alongside Mousawi, he co-founded Hezbollah in 1982 at the young age of 22, receiving substantial support from Iran, including 1,500 Revolutionary Guards.
Hezbollah commenced guerrilla warfare against Israeli forces, employing surprise attacks without a formal army. In November 1982, a suicide attack on an Israeli military headquarters in Tyre resulted in the deaths of 75 Israelis and 20 others.
Continued Resistance
Over the years, Hezbollah’s resistance led to Israel withdrawing from most of southern Lebanon by 1985, though they maintained a presence near the border. Nasrallah rose to prominence within Hezbollah, especially after becoming its leader in 1992 following Mousawi’s death in an Israeli airstrike.
Under his leadership, Hezbollah acquired long-range missiles and entered Lebanese politics, winning seats in parliament and bolstering its image through social welfare programs.
Clashes and Victories
In May 2000, Israel was forced to retreat from southern Lebanon, marking a significant victory for Nasrallah and Hezbollah. This success strengthened Nasrallah’s position, and by 2002, he negotiated a prisoner exchange that released over 400 detainees, solidifying his image as a formidable leader.
The 2006 conflict began when Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, leading to a 33-day war. This confrontation bolstered Hezbollah’s reputation as a powerful military force in Lebanon, albeit putting Nasrallah in the crosshairs of Israeli intelligence.
Legacy and Family
Nasrallah’s personal life has also seen tragedy; he married Fatima Yassin in 1978 and had four sons and a daughter. Tragically, two of his sons have died, including Hadi, a member of Hezbollah killed in combat in 1997. His family has faced scrutiny, with speculation about the fate of his daughter, Zainab, who was recently reported to have died in an airstrike.
Potential Successor
As Nasrallah’s influence faces challenges, speculation arises about his potential successor. Hashem Saifeddine, Nasrallah’s cousin who mirrors his image with a black scarf, has emerged as a possible heir. Designated a terrorist by the U.S. in 2017, Saifeddine may hold the future of Hezbollah as it navigates a volatile regional landscape.
In a world where political power and military might intertwine, Nasrallah’s legacy continues to shape the dynamics of the Middle East.
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