Nasrallah Mort: Hezbollah leader who defied Israel and the West
Nasrallah's rise to power
Hassan Nasrallah was born in 1960 in the southern Lebanese village of al-Bazouriyeh. He joined Hezbollah in 1982, shortly after it was founded in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Nasrallah quickly rose through the ranks of Hezbollah, becoming its secretary-general in 1992.Under Nasrallah's leadership, Hezbollah transformed from a small, ragtag militia into a powerful political and military force. Hezbollah established a wide-ranging social welfare network that provided essential services to the Shia community in Lebanon. The group also developed a sophisticated military wing that fought a guerrilla war against Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah's war with Israel
In 2006, Hezbollah fought a 34-day war with Israel. The war began when Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. Israel responded with a massive air and ground offensive that killed more than 1,000 Lebanese civilians.Despite the overwhelming odds, Hezbollah managed to hold its ground and inflict heavy losses on the Israeli military. The war ended in a stalemate, with both sides claiming victory. The war, however, cemented Nasrallah's status as a hero in the Arab world.
Nasrallah's defiance of the West
Nasrallah has been a vocal critic of the United States and its allies. He has accused the West of supporting Israel's aggression against Lebanon and of seeking to undermine Hezbollah. In 2006, Nasrallah delivered a famous speech in which he declared that "the only way to defeat Israel is to resist it with force."Nasrallah's defiance of the West has made him a target of sanctions and other punitive measures. However, he remains a popular figure in Lebanon and the wider Arab world. He is seen as a symbol of resistance to foreign domination and as a defender of the rights of the Shia community.
Nasrallah's legacy
Hassan Nasrallah is a complex and controversial figure. He is admired by many for his courage and determination, but he is also reviled by others for his support of violence and his close ties to Iran.There is no doubt, however, that Nasrallah has played a major role in shaping the history of Lebanon and the Middle East. His legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.
