Hezbollah’s former leader was killed in Israeli strike last September; Israel suspends release of 600 PalestiniansLebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported earlier today that Israeli aircraft launched a series of attacks targeting the outskirts of the towns of al-Qalila and al-Ansar.The NNA later reported that Israeli forces carried out a “raid” on Brissa in the Hermel district of northern Lebanon. There were no immediate reports of any casualties.A qualified Islamic scholar, effective public speaker and competent organiser, Nasrallah gained leadership experience during the long battle against Israeli troops and their local auxiliaries in the south of Lebanon. In 1992, he was chosen as the movement’s new secretary-general after Israel assassinated his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi. Months later, Iran used Hezbollah networks and operatives to execute a massive bombing of the Israeli embassy in Argentina, killing 29.In 2000, Israel’s humiliating and chaotic withdrawal from Lebanon’s south brought Hezbollah and Nasrallah acclaim in the Middle East and broader Islamic world, despite historic sectarian animosity between majority Sunnis Muslims and the minority Shia. The victory came at personal cost to Nasrallah: a son was killed in a clash with Israeli troops. Continue reading…
Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/23/middle-east-crisis-live-funeral-hezbollah-leader-nasrallah-palestinians-release-israel-gaza
Author : Yohannes Lowe (now) and Christine Kearney (earlier)
Publish date : 2025-02-23 09:23:00
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Middle East crisis live: thousands gather for funeral of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah; Israel delays release of Palestinian prisoners
