The Israeli airstrikes on Beirut have not only claimed the life of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, but also ignited widespread panic and fear across the city. Hundreds of Beirut’s residents, particularly from the southern suburbs where Hezbollah has its stronghold, were left scrambling to find safety as the strikes flattened entire buildings and turned residential areas into zones of rubble and destruction. The southern suburbs of Beirut, known for their dense population and proximity to Hezbollah’s command centers, bore the brunt of the attacks. Families, many with children and elderly members, fled their homes in haste, clutching whatever belongings they could carry as they sought shelter in public spaces and along Beirut's seafront corniche.
For many, the night was spent in the open, under the cold sky, as makeshift shelters sprung up along streets and public squares, offering little comfort or protection. India Today's Ashraf Wani, reporting from ground zero, described the scene as one of desperation, with families huddled together amidst the fear of more strikes. The sound of explosions echoed through the night, and thick clouds of smoke hung in the air as Israeli forces continued their bombardment of Hezbollah positions.
Nasrallah’s death, confirmed in the aftermath of the airstrikes, sent shockwaves through Lebanon and the broader region. The powerful Hezbollah leader, who had served as the head of the organization for over three decades, was a central figure not only in Lebanese politics but also in the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. Under his leadership, Hezbollah became a formidable military and political force, closely aligned with Iran and actively involved in conflicts across the region, including Syria and Gaza. His death marks a critical moment for Hezbollah, which has long positioned itself as a resistance movement against Israel.
In response to the Israeli strikes and Nasrallah’s killing, Lebanon declared a five-day mourning period, a solemn acknowledgment of the deep impact this event has had on the country. Businesses, schools, and government offices have been shut down, and the streets of Beirut, normally bustling with activity, now resemble a city in shock, grappling with the aftermath of the attacks. Funerals for Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders killed in the strikes are expected to draw massive crowds, further intensifying emotions across the country.
Hashem Safieddine, who has now been named Nasrallah’s successor, faces the daunting task of stepping into a leadership role at a time when Hezbollah is under immense pressure. Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah, has long been seen as the heir apparent within the group, having played a significant role in overseeing Hezbollah’s political operations. His deep ties to Iran, including his connection to the family of slain Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, reinforce Hezbollah’s strategic alliance with Tehran, and he is expected to continue the group’s close coordination with Iran’s military and political leadership.
Safieddine’s ascension to power, however, comes as Hezbollah reels from a series of Israeli strikes that have not only targeted Nasrallah but also claimed the lives of eight of the group’s nine most senior military commanders in the past year. These commanders, who were instrumental in leading Hezbollah’s military units, including the rocket division and the elite Radwan force, have been systematically eliminated in what Israel describes as a deliberate campaign to weaken Hezbollah’s military structure. The latest strikes, which left large craters and severely damaged buildings in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, are part of Israel’s broader effort to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence and eliminate the threat posed by the group’s rocket attacks and military operations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, hailed the death of Nasrallah as a "historic turning point" in Israel’s long-standing conflict with Hezbollah. Netanyahu stressed that the decision to eliminate Nasrallah was a critical step in achieving Israel’s strategic objectives in the region, particularly in light of Hezbollah’s alliance with Hamas in Gaza. "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer terrorize the region," Netanyahu declared, vowing that Israel would continue its campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.
The death of Nasrallah, however, has not brought an end to the conflict. Hezbollah, in its statement following the airstrikes, vowed to continue its resistance against Israel, pledging to fight in defense of Lebanon, Gaza, and Palestine. The group’s leadership, though shaken by the loss of Nasrallah, remains resolute in its commitment to confronting Israeli military operations.
As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian toll in Lebanon continues to rise. Over 700 people have been killed in the recent wave of Israeli strikes, and the country faces a growing crisis as thousands of residents are displaced, and critical infrastructure is damaged or destroyed. Hospitals in Beirut are struggling to cope with the influx of injured civilians, and the fear of further attacks looms large over the city. The destruction has not only devastated communities in southern Beirut but also disrupted daily life across the capital, as residents brace for more violence in the days to come.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also weighed in on the situation, calling on Muslims worldwide to support Lebanon and Hezbollah in the fight against what he described as the "usurping, oppressive, and wicked regime" of Israel. Khamenei’s statement underscores the broader geopolitical dimensions of the conflict, as Iran continues to provide support to Hezbollah and other resistance movements in the region.
The future of Hezbollah, now under Safieddine’s leadership, remains uncertain. While the group has vowed to continue its fight, the loss of Nasrallah and other key commanders represents a significant blow to its leadership and military capabilities. Israel, meanwhile, is determined to push forward with its campaign to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence, setting the stage for a prolonged and potentially even more destructive conflict in the region. As both sides prepare for the next phase of the confrontation, the people of Lebanon are left to grapple with the devastating human and material costs of the ongoing war.
