“The Killing of Hezbollah’s Leader Hassan Nasrallah Marks a Fundamental Shift and Revives Calls for Disarmament”
“The Killing of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah: A Fundamental Shift for the Iran-Backed Movement”
The killing of Hezbollah’s powerful leader Hassan Nasrallah a month ago has triggered a significant transformation within the Iran-backed Lebanese movement, renewing calls for the group to surrender its extensive weapons arsenal.
“The death of Nasrallah marked the end of an era,” stated analyst Sam Heller from the US-based think tank Century Foundation. He emphasized that after decades of leadership, Nasrallah’s passing will inevitably lead to changes within the organization.
Nasrallah’s influence extended well beyond his loyal Shiite Muslim support base in Lebanon. He was a central figure in Iran’s “axis of resistance” against the United States and Israel, which encompasses various armed groups across the Middle East, including those in Syria.
“Israel’s Assassination of Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah: A Seismic Blow and a New Era for the Movement”
Israel dealt Hezbollah a seismic blow when it assassinated leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27 in a massive airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, propelling the movement into a new age. This pivotal event comes as Hezbollah was already embroiled in a year marked by cross-border exchanges of fire with Israel, a conflict that intensified in response to its support for Palestinian ally Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attack.
“Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah Amid Leadership Losses”
Last month, Israel escalated its military operations against Hezbollah strongholds, deploying ground forces and eliminating key members of the group’s top leadership. This surge in strikes culminated in the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah since 1992. Throughout his tenure, Nasrallah spearheaded numerous operations against Israel, earning cult status among his supporters during the 2006 war. His legacy and influence have significantly shaped Hezbollah’s identity and its ongoing confrontations in the region.
“Vacuum in Leadership: Hezbollah’s Shura Council Yet to Appoint Successor After Nasrallah’s Death”
According to analyst Heller, “he was the foremost decision-maker in the organization as it rose to prominence in Lebanon and regionally.” In the wake of Hassan Nasrallah’s assassination, Hezbollah’s governing Shura Council has yet to appoint a successor, leaving a significant leadership gap.
Hashem Safieddine, a cleric considered a potential successor, was killed by Israel just days after Nasrallah, further complicating the organization’s leadership transition during this critical period.
“Hezbollah’s Leadership Structure: A Collective Approach Amid Communication Gaps”
Hezbollah is currently led by a group of leaders, as stated by its deputy head, Naim Qassem. In recent developments, Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, have indicated that contact with the group has been severed for weeks.
In this transitional phase, Nabih Berri, the speaker of Lebanon’s parliament and leader of the Hezbollah-allied Amal Movement, has been appointed to communicate on behalf of the organization, according to Qassem’s recent remarks. This collective leadership approach aims to navigate the complexities of the current political landscape while maintaining Hezbollah’s influence and operations.
“Berri Advocates for Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Tensions and Rocket Fire from Hezbollah”
According to local media reports, Nabih Berri is believed to be advocating for a ceasefire. Hezbollah has historically tied a ceasefire in Lebanon to a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, a stance that the group has not formally retracted.
Despite appearing to be on the defensive, Hezbollah’s fighters continue to launch dozens of rockets daily into Israel, with some reaching major cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv. This ongoing military activity underscores the complexities of the situation and the challenges in achieving a lasting peace in the region.
“Hezbollah Claims Drone Strike on Netanyahu’s Home Amid Ongoing Resistance in Lebanon”
This week, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone strike targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in the coastal town of Caesarea. The group asserts that Israeli forces have yet to gain full control of any village in Lebanon, weeks into their ground invasion.
A source close to Hezbollah remarked that Israeli forces operating in Lebanon “face very fierce resistance and are forced to retreat under heavy blows.” This statement highlights the ongoing intensity of the conflict and Hezbollah’s commitment to resisting Israeli advances, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.
“Hezbollah’s Tactical Advantage: Familiar Terrain in Ongoing Conflict”
A source close to Hezbollah, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, stated that Israeli forces have only penetrated approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) into Lebanese territory. The source emphasized that Hezbollah holds a significant advantage in this conflict, as it is fighting on familiar ground and knows precisely which “trees and rocks” to use for cover.
This familiarity with the terrain allows Hezbollah to employ strategic tactics that complicate the operational efforts of Israeli forces, further intensifying the challenges faced by them in the ongoing military engagement.
“Hezbollah Faces Growing Calls for Disarmament Amid Political Tensions”
Hezbollah is widely regarded as being better armed than Lebanon’s national military and remains the only faction that did not surrender its weapons following the civil war from 1975 to 1990. In the wake of its long-standing dominance in Lebanese politics, the group is now facing increased calls from critics within the country for change.
Lebanese computer engineer Elie Jabbour expressed to AFP that the path forward hinges on Hezbollah disarming. “The war cannot end before Hezbollah is disarmed,” he stated, suggesting that only then could the group participate as a political party within state institutions.
The discussion around a ceasefire in Lebanon is closely tied to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should operate in areas south of the Litani River—regions where Hezbollah has long maintained a presence.
However, Lebanon is currently in the throes of a prolonged crisis, with a two-year void in presidential leadership leaving the nation directionless. Many in Lebanon hold Hezbollah accountable for obstructing the election process. Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces party and a consistent opponent of Hezbollah, emphasized that any new president must ensure that no group or weapon exists outside the framework of the state.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati echoed this sentiment on Thursday, stating that only the state should possess weapons. Yet, experts caution that attempts to politically marginalize Hezbollah could provoke a violent backlash from the group, potentially leading to further intra-Lebanese conflict, as noted by analyst Sam Heller. This complex situation underscores the challenges Lebanon faces in navigating its political landscape while addressing the contentious issue of Hezbollah’s armed status.