Hassan Nasrallah – who was reportedly the target of Friday’s air strike on Beirut – has not been seen in public for years because of fears of being assassinated by Israel.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been at the helm of the Lebanese militant group for the past three decades, significantly strengthening its position as one of the most strongest paramilitary organizations in the Middle East. On Friday afternoon, Israeli airstrikes targeted six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburb of Haret Hreik, marking the largest assault in the Lebanese capital amid nearly a year of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military confirmed that the strikes aimed at Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, resulting in many casualties.
While Israeli media reported that Nasrallah was a target of the strikes, this has not been officially confirmed by Israeli authorities. In response, Hezbollah officials have remained silent. However, a source closed with Hezbollah informed Reuters that Nasrallah is alive. Furthermore, a senior Iranian security official mentioned that Tehran is currently verifying his status.
Who is Hassan Nasrallah?
- Early Life: Born in 1960 into a poor Shiite family in Beirut’s northern suburb of Sharshabouk; later displaced to southern Lebanon.
- Education: Studied theology and joined the Amal movement, a Shiite political and paramilitary organization.
- Founding of Hezbollah: Became one of the founders of Hezbollah, which was formed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard members in 1982 to fight Israeli forces.
- Iranian Influence: Hezbollah was the first group backed by Iran to export its brand of political Islam.
- Leadership Transition: Chosen as Hezbollah’s secretary-general in February 1992, following the death of its leader, Sayyed Abbas Musawi, in an Israeli airstrike.
- Terrorist Designation: The United States designated Hezbollah a terrorist organization in 1997.
- Withdrawal of Israeli Troops: Credited with leading the war of attrition that resulted in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 after an 18-year occupation.
- Personal Loss: His eldest son, Hadi, was killed in 1997 while fighting Israeli forces.
- Iconic Status: Gained iconic status in Lebanon and the Arab world post-Israel’s withdrawal, with messages broadcasted through Hezbollah’s radio and satellite TV.
- Involvement in Conflicts: Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah fought multiple wars against Israel and participated in the Syrian conflict, supporting President Bashar Assad.
- Strategic Alliances: Established alliances with Shiite leaders in Iran and Palestinian groups like Hamas.
- Cultural Influence: Idolized by Lebanese Shiite followers and respected across the Arab and Islamic world; holds the honorific title of sayyid, indicating his lineage to the Prophet Muhammad.
- Leadership Style: Considered a pragmatist compared to earlier militant leaders, focusing on strategic governance and military engagement.
Nasrallah’s role in the current conflict
A day after the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7, Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military posts along the border calling it a “backup front” for Gaza.
In speeches throughout the conflict, he has argued that Hezbollah’s cross-border strikes had pulled away Israeli forces that would otherwise be focused on Hamas in Gaza and insisted that Hezbollah would not halt its attacks on Israel until a cease-fire is reached in Gaza.
Nasrallah has maintained a defiant tone, even as tensions rose dramatically in recent weeks with Israel announcing a new phase in the conflict intended to push Hezbollah back from the border to allow thousands displaced from northern Israel to return.