How a vegetable vendor's son became Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah?

Israel-Hezbollah War: Hassan Nasrallah, the elusive leader of Hezbollah, was born to a vegetable vendor in Beirut and rose to become one of Israel's most formidable enemies. Rarely seen in public, Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah into a powerful military and political force, and after years in hiding, Israel has finally targeted him in a deadly strike.

A phantom turned Hezbollah leader

Nasrallah’s journey began when, as a 16-year-old, he caught the attention of Abbas al-Musawi, the man who would later lead Hezbollah. Nasrallah formed a close bond with Musawi and took over the reins of the organization in 1992 after Musawi was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack. At just 32, Nasrallah was seen as a rising leader. Under his command, Hezbollah grew into a far more formidable organization, not only strengthening its military wing but also embedding itself into Lebanon’s political system.

A life in hiding

Since the 2006 war with Israel, Nasrallah has lived in hiding, making rare public appearances, often only through video broadcasts. Despite this, he maintained control over Hezbollah and became one of the most influential figures in the Middle East. His most recent speech, on September 19, condemned Israel's actions in Lebanon as a "declaration of war."

In a 2014 interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Nasrallah denied rumors that he was isolated in a bunker. He acknowledged that necessary security measures were in place but insisted that they did not interfere with his communications with allies.

The attack on Nasrallah

Israel has long viewed Nasrallah as one of its top enemies, and after years of conflict, they struck Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut on a Friday night, reportedly killing Nasrallah, who was in a bunker at the time. This marks a significant blow to Hezbollah, which had already lost several top leaders to Israeli strikes in recent weeks.

A hero in the Arab world?

Nasrallah's rise to prominence in the Arab world was cemented by Hezbollah’s role in ending Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000. His declaration of "divine victory" following the 2006 war with Israel made him a hero across the Middle East. Despite being part of a Shia Islamist organization, Nasrallah extended Hezbollah's influence across sectarian lines and became a key figure in regional politics.

A legacy shaped by conflict

Nasrallah’s legacy is deeply tied to his battles with Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah played a key role in supporting the Syrian government during the 2011 uprising and established itself as a militia force that operated well beyond Lebanon’s borders.

While Nasrallah’s death has been confirmed by Israeli military sources, his impact on Hezbollah and the wider Middle East will continue to be felt for years to come. The bombing of Hezbollah’s headquarters and the elimination of its top leaders signal Israel’s intent to cripple the organization, but the long-term consequences of this strike remain to be seen.