We publish below an unofficial translation of an article first appearing here on A Nova Democracia, originally published on September 28, 2024.
The Lebanese Resistance group, Hezbollah, confirmed the death of its leader, Lebanese patriot Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a statement today (the 28th). The group vowed to continue the war “in confrontation with the enemy, in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.”
Nasrallah was assassinated by a bombing by the Zionist State of Israel in Beirut. Israel claimed the death in the first place, but the veracity of the information was only confirmed with the pronouncement of the Resistance.
Hezbollah also stated that “Our Leader is still among us with his thought, spirit, line and approach.” “You are in the oath of loyalty and commitment to endurance and sacrifice until victory.”
Palestinian Resistance speaks out
The Palestinian National Resistance group, Hamas, declared its solidarity with the Lebanese organization.
“We remember his life and career full of sacrifices for the liberation of Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the group said.
Hamas also highlighted “the honorable positions of support for our Palestinian people, our valiant resistance and our legitimate rights,” and “its insistence on continuing the front of heroic support for our people and our resistance in the Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Nasrallah’s role in leading Lebanese Resistance
Nasrallah was a prominent leader of the Lebanese Resistance. Committed to the liberation of Lebanon, Nasrallah participated in the anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist struggle since the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1992, Hassan Nasrallah replaced Abbas Al-Musawi as Secretary-General of the organization, a position he held until his assassination.
It was under his leadership that Hezbollah dismembered the South Lebanon Army, Israel’s lackey, and expelled Zionist troops from the south of the country in 2000. Nasrallah also led the Resistance at the military and political level against the Zionist operations “Responsibility” (1993), “Operation V” (1994), against the Lebanese war of aggression against Lebanon in 2006 and other Zionist operations in 2009 and 2011.
In recent months, Nasrallah has directed Hezbollah’s operations in solidarity with Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by the Palestinian National Resistance on October 7, and against the genocide in Gaza.
Continued resistance
The assassination of Nasrallah is undoubtedly a severe blow to Hezbollah.
On the other hand, it does not mean a shake-up in the group’s ability to operate. Hezbollah has, in the south alone, about 70,000 mobilized fighters. Throughout Lebanon, there are tens of thousands more fighters already in operations or as reservists.
With the increase in aggression against Lebanon, it is also likely that support for the group will grow, as it has historically occurred, giving Hezbollah more ability to mobilize the popular masses in the war of resistance.
According to a report in the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth this week, Hezbollah has not used even 10% of its capabilities in the war.
Israel has already lost millions of dollars in the war. And this is because it has not yet invaded Lebanon by land, which will be the most costly moment for the Zionist state, if it decides to do so.
“If Israel decides to invade Lebanon by land, the cost of living will be very high,” expert Bruno Beaklini recently told AND. “And this for a state that is not used to losing the lives of its invaders, but killing children and women. It’s a political cost that not even Netanyahu’s war cabinet can afford.”
