Nasrallah death/ Hezbollah leader killed/ Israel Hezbollah conflict/ Nasrallah assassination reactions/ Middle East political response/ Reactions to Nasrallah’s death/ Hezbollah leader death reactions/ political responses to Nasrallah’s killing/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ LEBANON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike has triggered a range of responses from political leaders across the Middle East. While Iran accused the U.S. of complicity in his killing, Israel’s military vowed to continue its campaign against Hezbollah. Regional figures, including Turkey’s President Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, condemned the attacks and warned of escalating violence in the region.
Reactions to Nasrallah’s Death: Quick Looks
- Israel’s Actions: Israel confirmed the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in airstrikes, targeting over 140 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.
- Russia Condemns Nasrallah’s Killing: Russia denounced Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, calling it a “political assassination” with severe consequences for Lebanon and the Middle East. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Israel bears full responsibility for the likely escalation of violence following the attack.
- Iran’s Response: Iran’s President Pezeshkian accused the U.S. of supporting Nasrallah’s killing, condemning the Israeli strikes.
- Lebanese Toll: Lebanon’s health ministry reported over 1,000 deaths due to Israeli strikes, with hundreds of thousands displaced.
- Turkey and Yemen: Turkish President Erdogan and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels condemned the killing and called for stronger opposition to Israel.
- Israel’s Military: Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi defended the airstrikes, vowing to continue dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
Nasrallah’s Death: Reactions Across Mideast & World Leaders
Deep Look:
The death of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader for over three decades, has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, sparking intense reactions from political and militant leaders. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The aftermath of his killing could reshape political and military dynamics across the region.
Hezbollah Confirms Nasrallah’s Death
Following the airstrike, Hezbollah confirmed the death of its long-standing leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in what is being seen as a major blow to the group and its regional influence. Nasrallah’s death comes amidst a dramatic increase in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure after the group began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas.
The strikes that killed Nasrallah targeted multiple Hezbollah commanders, according to Israeli military reports. Fighter jets pummeled Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut, causing widespread destruction. Israel’s military announced that more than 140 Hezbollah-related sites, some concealed beneath civilian buildings, were hit as part of their ongoing efforts to weaken the militant group.
Russia condemns Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah
Russia strongly condemns Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the Lebanese capital Beirut, the foreign ministry said on Saturday, calling it “yet another political assassination”. “This forceful action is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The Israeli side could not fail to recognise this danger, but took the step of killing Lebanese citizens, which would almost inevitably provoke a new outburst of violence. Thus, it bears full responsibility for the subsequent escalation.”
Reactions Across the Middle East:
Iran’s President Pezeshkian:
Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian responded sharply, accusing the United States of complicity in Nasrallah’s death. “The world community will not forget that the order of the terrorist strike was issued from New York,” he said, referring to Israel’s coordination with U.S. leaders. Iran has long backed Hezbollah, and Nasrallah’s death is viewed as a significant loss for Iran’s influence in Lebanon and the region.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Turkey’s President Erdogan condemned Israel’s “savage attacks” in Lebanon, criticizing the international community’s inaction. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Erdogan called for Muslim countries to take a stronger stance against Israeli aggression. He urged the United Nations and human rights organizations to take action, describing Israel’s campaign as part of a larger pattern of “genocide” and occupation.
Houthis in Yemen:
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels mourned Nasrallah’s death, stating that it would only strengthen their resolve to continue fighting against “the Israeli enemy.” The Houthis have been actively launching drone and missile strikes as part of their support for Palestinian militant groups during the Israel-Hamas war.
Lebanese Politicians Respond
Gebran Bassil:
Leading Lebanese Christian politician Gebran Bassil mourned Nasrallah’s death, stating that Lebanon faces “an extremely difficult period” and stressing that all Lebanese should unite in the face of Israeli aggression. Bassil highlighted the necessity for Lebanese solidarity as the country grapples with increasing violence.
Michel Aoun, Former President of Lebanon:
Michel Aoun echoed similar sentiments, noting that the ongoing Israeli strikes require Lebanon to rise to a new level of national solidarity. He described Nasrallah’s assassination as a significant loss for Lebanon’s political landscape.
Saad al-Hariri, Former Prime Minister of Lebanon:
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri condemned the killing of Nasrallah as an act of cowardice and warned that Lebanon has entered a new phase of violence. Despite long-standing political disagreements with Nasrallah, al-Hariri expressed condolences to Nasrallah’s family and Hezbollah, underscoring Lebanon’s need for unity during this difficult time.
Israeli Military Response
Herzi Halevi, Israel’s Chief of the General Staff:
Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi justified the assassination of Nasrallah, describing him as a “murderer of civilians” and a global terrorist threat. Halevi reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities, stating that Nasrallah’s death would not mark the end of the campaign. “We eliminated him, and we will continue to grow stronger,” Halevi declared, referring to Hezbollah’s infrastructure hidden under civilian homes.
Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
The death toll in Lebanon continues to rise, with over 1,000 casualties reported by the country’s health ministry since Hezbollah began launching attacks into Israel. The United Nations estimates that more than 211,000 people have been displaced from southern Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes, and many primary healthcare centers have shut down in areas most affected by the conflict.
Israel has warned that if Hezbollah’s attacks persist, Lebanon could face a similar scale of destruction as Gaza. The strikes on Hezbollah have already led to massive displacement, with thousands of families forced to flee their homes as Israeli air raids continue.
The Road Ahead
Nasrallah’s death marks a turning point in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with regional implications that could lead to further destabilization. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, remains a powerful force in Lebanon, and its leadership will likely seek to retaliate. Meanwhile, Israel’s military campaign shows no signs of slowing, as it continues to target Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon.
How Nasrallah’s death will impact Hezbollah’s operations and Iran’s involvement in the region remains to be seen. The loss of its leader is a significant blow, but Hezbollah’s long-standing network of allies, including Iran, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias, suggests that the conflict will likely intensify in the coming weeks.
