Who is Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah? Target of Israel’s latest air strikes in Beirut, is he dead or alive?

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been on the helm of the Lebanese militant group for the past three decades, significantly strengthening its position as regarded as one of a few most strongest paramilitary organizations right at some point of the Middle East. On Friday afternoon, Israeli airstrikes targeted six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburb of Haret Hreik, marking the largest assault right at some point of the Lebanese capital amid nearly a year of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli defense force confirmed that the strikes aimed toward Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, leading to a terrific deal of casualties.

While Israeli media reported that Nasrallah became a target of the strikes, this has now no longer been officially confirmed by Israeli authorities. In response, Hezbollah officials have remained silent. Nevertheless, 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's 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 regarded as one of a few founders of Hezbollah, which became formed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard members in 1982 to fight Israeli forces.
• Iranian Influence: Hezbollah became the primary 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, became 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 took part right at some point of 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: Thought about a pragmatist in comparison with earlier militant leaders, focusing on strategic governance and defense force engagement.

Nasrallah’s role right at some point of the current conflict

A day after the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7, Hezbollah began attacking Israeli defense force posts along the border calling it a “backup front” for Gaza.

In speeches through the conflict, he has argued that Hezbollah’s cross-border strikes had pulled away Israeli forces that would otherwise be all in favour of Hamas in Gaza and insisted that Hezbollah would now no longer 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 most modern weeks with Israel announcing a new phase right at some point of the conflict intended to push Hezbollah back from the border to permit thousands displaced from northern Israel to come.