Author: Ali Masoumi, Master's student in Accounting, Faculty of Financial Sciences, Kharazmi University
Introduction
Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, the prominent leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, is recognized as one of the influential figures in the Arab and Islamic worlds. He is not only known for his key role in the Islamic resistance in Lebanon against Israeli occupation but also as a powerful voice defending the rights of the Palestinian people and fighting against oppression and injustice in the region. Through his leadership of Hezbollah, Nasrallah has managed to create a united and cohesive force that not only addresses military attacks from Israel but also contributes to strengthening Lebanon's position in regional equations. His significance in contemporary Lebanese and regional history is highlighted by his courage, astute political strategies, and revolutionary approach, earning him a special place in the hearts of the peoples in the region.
Biography
Birth and Childhood
Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah was born on August 31, 1960, in a poor neighborhood called Al-Bazouriyeh, located in southern Lebanon. He grew up in a religious and devout family. His father was engaged in a small business, while his mother paid special attention to raising the children. From an early age, due to his family environment and the specific political and social conditions in Lebanon, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah developed an interest in religious matters and resistance against oppression. The nurturing atmosphere of his family allowed him to become familiar with Islamic and revolutionary values from the very beginning.
Education
During his adolescence, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah went to the religious seminary in the city of Najaf, Iraq, which is recognized as one of the most important centers for Shia religious education in the Islamic world. In Najaf, he was taught by prominent scholars such as Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr. This period had a profound impact on shaping Nasrallah's religious and political character, familiarizing him with the concepts of Islamic revolution, jihad, and resistance against occupiers. After a while, due to the pressures of the Ba'ath regime in Iraq, Nasrallah returned to Lebanon and continued his studies at the seminary in Baalbek.
Beginning of Political and Military Activities
In the early 1980s, with the occurrence of Israel's attack on southern Lebanon, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah joined the newly established Hezbollah movement. From the beginning, he played an active role in organizing and executing resistance operations as one of the young and energetic members of this movement. Due to his managerial and intellectual capabilities, Nasrallah quickly became recognized among Hezbollah members as one of the main leaders. Alongside his military activities, he utilized his rhetorical skills and speeches to foster solidarity and cohesion among the resistance forces and the people of Lebanon.
Role of Leadership in Hezbollah
By accepting the leadership of Hezbollah in 1992, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah transformed this movement from a local resistance group into one of the most significant regional actors. His wise and decisive leadership has played a crucial role in strengthening Hezbollah as a powerful military and political force in Lebanon and the region. Nasrallah not only succeeded in enhancing Hezbollah's military structure but also, by relying on precise political strategies, turned Hezbollah into one of the most influential factors in Lebanese and Arab world politics.
Achievements and Impacts
One of Nasrallah's most significant achievements was the victory in the 33-day war of 2006 against Israel. This war, recognized as one of Hezbollah's greatest military challenges, demonstrated that Hezbollah, under Nasrallah's leadership, had the capability to confront one of the strongest armies in the region. This victory not only validated Hezbollah's military strength but also solidified Nasrallah's position in the hearts of the people of Lebanon and the Islamic world.
Political and Military Strategies
Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah utilized a combination of political and military strategies to transform Hezbollah from a military resistance group into a multifaceted force with political and social influence. In the military domain, he emphasized strengthening equipment, training resistance forces, and utilizing advanced military technologies. In the political arena, Nasrallah succeeded in making Hezbollah one of the most powerful political actors in Lebanon, ensuring that this movement always played a key role in Lebanon's political decision-making processes.
Internal Cohesion and National Unity
One of the prominent features of Nasrallah's leadership is his ability to foster unity among various political and religious groups in Lebanon. Nasrallah has consistently worked to present Hezbollah as a national and transcendent force that stands for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon against external threats. This approach has not only strengthened Hezbollah's internal cohesion but has also garnered widespread support from various Lebanese and regional groups.
Through astute management and a reliance on religious and national values, Nasrallah has established Hezbollah as a solid resistance force against foreign aggressions and as a key player in the political equations of the region.
Struggle and Sacrifices
Throughout his years of leadership in the Islamic resistance in Lebanon, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah has consistently been recognized as a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and sacrifice against the oppression and occupation by Israel. He is not only seen as a military leader but also as someone who has united the heart and soul of the Lebanese people, undertaking numerous struggles in defense of the land and Islamic ideals.
Description of Operations and Ongoing Efforts in Islamic Resistance
Since joining Hezbollah, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah has played a key role in organizing and executing resistance operations against the Israeli occupying forces. Under his leadership, Hezbollah has achieved remarkable victories in various wars, including the liberation operation in southern Lebanon in 2000, which is recorded as one of the greatest successes of the Islamic resistance against Israel. This historic victory granted Nasrallah and Hezbollah a special status among the nations of the region and the world.
Key Speeches and Boosting the Morale of the People and Fighters
One of Nasrallah's notable qualities is his ability to uplift the morale of the people and fighters through powerful and inspirational speeches. He uses simple and clear language to encourage his audience toward resistance, faith, and patience. His speeches during the 33-day war against Israel in 2006 exemplify this ability. Nasrallah appeared before the people with confidence and strength, asserting the historic statement, "We will be victorious," which not only boosted the spirits of Hezbollah fighters but also invigorated the entire nation of Lebanon and all supporters of the resistance.
Personal Losses and the Martyrdom of His Son
Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah's sacrifices in the path of resistance are not limited to the national level. He has also endured significant personal losses, including the martyrdom of his son, Sayyid Muhammad Hadi Nasrallah, who was martyred in 1997 during a military operation against Israeli forces. The martyrdom of Sayyid Muhammad Hadi exemplifies Nasrallah's personal sacrifice, demonstrating that he has given all that he has in the name of resistance and the defense of his homeland, not only as a political and military leader but also as a father and a human being. This event not only strengthened Nasrallah's position in the hearts of the Lebanese people but also portrayed him as a selfless and devoted individual who remains loyal to the ideals of resistance through both words and actions.
Through his efforts and sacrifices, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah has become a role model for resistance in the Islamic world, and his legacy continues to inspire the spirit of fighters and people who struggle for truth and justice.
Martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah
The Circumstances of His Martyrdom and Related Details
The martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah is perceived as a symbolic reality in the minds of the Lebanese people and supporters of Islamic resistance. He had repeatedly stated in his speeches that he was prepared to sacrifice his life for the sake of resistance and the defense of Islamic values and Lebanon. As a military and political leader, Nasrallah has often been the target of threats and attacks from his enemies, and his security has always been under strict measures. Prior to his martyrdom, he had survived several assassinations attempts by Israeli forces in 2004, 2006, and 2011.
Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah ultimately became a martyr on Friday in September 27, 2024 following an airstrike by the Zionist regime on the southern suburb of Beirut.
Domestic and International Reactions to His Martyrdom
The martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah has sparked widespread reactions both domestically and internationally. Within Lebanon, his martyrdom has generated a wave of nationalist sentiment and solidarity. The people of Lebanon, especially the supporters of Hezbollah and the resistance, recognize him as a symbol of resilience and steadfastness against their enemies. In the region, Nasrallah's martyrdom has led to increased support for resistance groups in Palestine, Syria, and other Arab countries. The countries of the resistance axis, from Iran to Iraq and Syria, view this martyrdom as motivation to continue the struggle and strengthen the resistance movement.
His martyrdom elicited numerous responses. Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, as well as religious authorities such as Sayyid Ali Sistani, Nasser Makarem Shirazi, and Hossein Noori Hamadani, along with officials and governments from various countries and resistance groups such as Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ansar Allah in Yemen, Fatah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Amal Movement in Lebanon, the National Wisdom Movement in Iraq, and the Sadr Movement in Iraq all issued statements expressing condolences for Sayyid Hassan's martyrdom and condemned the Israeli attacks. In Iran, a five-day mourning period was declared, while in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, three days of public mourning were observed.
Conclusion
Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the contemporary history of the Middle East and the Islamic world. His leadership in the Hezbollah movement not only shaped Lebanon's resistance against the occupation and aggression of Israel but also provided a model of resilience and resistance for other liberation and Islamic movements around the globe. With intelligence, courage, and sacrifice, Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah from a military group into a comprehensive socio-political force that has consistently impacted regional and international equations.
The spirit of resistance that Nasrallah has adhered to throughout his years of leadership will remain a lasting legacy in the hearts of the people of Lebanon and all those who fight for freedom and justice. Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah stands as a symbol of steadfastness against oppression and occupation, and his path will continue to inspire future generations of Islamic and liberation movements.
