Lebanese militant group Hezbollah commemorated the first anniversary of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah’s death, a turning point in the conflict with Israel that devastated large parts of Lebanon. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, was killed by Israeli bunker-busting bombs that struck a Hezbollah compound in Beirut’s southern suburbs. His heir apparent, Hashem Safieddine, was also killed weeks later, leaving the organization in turmoil.
Hezbollah’s current secretary general, Naim Qassem, addressed thousands of supporters during the anniversary. He firmly rejected mounting demands for the group to disarm, calling the confrontation with Israel an “existential battle” that Hezbollah was fully prepared to face. His speech underscored the group’s stance despite growing political pressure in Lebanon, where critics accuse Hezbollah of dragging the country deeper into conflict.
The commemoration drew crowds across Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the east. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani was also in attendance, highlighting Tehran’s continued support. The event sparked controversy after Hezbollah projected massive images of Nasrallah and Safieddine onto Beirut’s iconic seaside cliffs. The display defied orders from Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the Beirut governor, further fueling tensions with opponents who argued such landmarks should remain apolitical.
Nasrallah rose to power in 1992 after his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi was assassinated by Israel. Known for his fiery speeches, he became the face of the Shi’ite group, originally founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli occupation. Following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Hezbollah joined the fight, sparking nearly a year of cross-border clashes. The conflict escalated when Israel launched a sweeping military assault, killing over 4,000 people, including more than 300 children, and displacing thousands across Lebanon.
Although a truce slowed the violence, Israel has continued targeted strikes on Hezbollah positions. Nasrallah’s burial was delayed for months due to relentless bombardments, but his grave has since become a symbolic gathering site for followers.