Hezbollah Marks Two Years Since Nasrallah's Killing, Fires Drone at Israel

Lebanon is marking the second anniversary of the killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was eliminated by an Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2024, at the organization's central command in Beirut's southern Dahieh suburb. Supporters gathered at the site, now a pilgrimage spot adorned with Hezbollah flags and photos of Nasrallah and his successor, Hashem Safi al-Din, who was also killed in an October 2024 strike. Memorial ceremonies are scheduled for Sunday in southern Lebanon and at Nasrallah's burial site in Beirut.

In parallel with the commemorations, Hezbollah launched an explosive drone towards IDF forces in southern Lebanon overnight. The Israeli Air Force responded by striking Hezbollah targets, including drone launch sites and anti-tank missile positions. This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions despite the anniversary events.

An article in the Hezbollah-aligned Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, by editor Ibrahim Al-Amin, called for revenge, emphasizing a comprehensive mission based on absolute belief and determination. He stated that true revenge requires sophistication exceeding Israeli plots and a new generation to achieve it, describing it as a significant event that history will remember as the ultimate expression of justice.

Commentary from Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed in Qatar suggests Hezbollah faces a complex situation, enduring ongoing Israeli strikes despite a ceasefire, occupying parts of southern Lebanon, and destroying military facilities without a decisive response. The organization is also under internal pressure from Shia community members opposing further war. Hezbollah official Ghalab Abu Zeinab acknowledged September 2024 as a turning point, admitting significant Israeli gains but asserting the conflict continues with an unknown end, stating, "It is not the end of the road, as the Israelis hoped."

Conversely, the Lebanese MTV network, critical of Hezbollah, noted that while Nasrallah possessed charisma and the ability to mobilize support, his successor, Naim Qassem, inherited an organization weakened by the loss of key leaders and military infrastructure. MTV argues that Hezbollah, under Qassem, has lost its initiative and ability to dictate Lebanon's political pace, questioning whether its military arsenal alone can secure victory or serve an Iranian agenda. The delayed return of displaced persons to southern Lebanon is linked to the condition of Hezbollah's disarmament, posing significant questions for the organization's leadership about the justification of sacrifices and its role in defending Lebanon.