Israel’s northern towns have been under a relentless barrage of deadly Hezbollah rockets, missiles and drones that have displaced more than 60,000 Israelis—the equivalent of 2 million Americans—for the last year. The attacks have forced Israeli citizens from their homes, schools and businesses since Oct. 8. In response, Israel launched a series of targeted military operations, including the recent Israeli Air Force killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, eliminating many Hezbollah leaders.
Israel began sending ground forces into Hezbollah strongholds in Southern Lebanon, including entering Hezbollah’s underground tunnel system that houses militants and a massive weapons arsenal poised to attack Israel. The extensive tunnel network rivals the Hamas terror infrastructure in Gaza. Iran launched an unprecedented and broad-based missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1 just as Israel was launching military action to stop Hezbollah’s months-long aggression in the north. The attack forced Israeli citizens into bomb shelters and a terrorist attack near Tel Aviv killed eight Israelis. Iran’s claim that it was avenging the deaths of terror chiefs in Gaza and Lebanon only cements the regime’s tight hold on its terror group proxies.
The Israeli airstrikes also killed the Hamas operations leader in Lebanon, who was employed as a school teacher and principal by UNRWA, the controversial U.N. agency established solely to support Palestinians across the Middle East. UNRWA’s chief denied knowledge of any connection even after the teacher’s suspension for ties to Hamas.
Hezbollah, part of Tehran’s extensive terror network, continues to spread violence and fear on behalf of its sponsor. The Islamic Republic of Iran, which refers to America as “Big Satan” and Israel as “Little Satan,” also supports the Houthis in Yemen and various militant groups in Iraq, all of which have intensified their attacks on Israel, further escalating regional tensions and threatening global shipping.
Terror network: Hezbollah kills Americans and Jews worldwide
In its 42 years, Hezbollah has built a vast global terror empire extending far beyond its base in Lebanon. The Iranian-backed group operates sophisticated networks often funded through criminal enterprises. A 2017 ground-breaking Politico report detailed the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Project Cassandra investigation into the terror group’s funding.
The DEA described Hezbollah as “one of the biggest transnational organized crime groups in the world” that “leveraged relationships with corrupt foreign government officials and criminals to create a network that can be utilized to move tons of cocaine, launder drug proceeds on a global scale and procure weapons and explosives.” Hezbollah also exploited America’s used-car market, shipping vehicles to West Africa and funneling profits from cars and drugs into terrorism. This vast underground economy spans Latin America, Africa and Europe.
Hezbollah has caused the deaths of hundreds of Americans through bombings, hijackings and assassinations around the world. The 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut—killing 241 American servicemen—remains one of the most devastating attacks on American military personnel in history. The 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 resulted in the brutal murder of U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq killed more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers.
The Israeli Defense Forces recently revealed that Hezbollah positioned 3,000 terrorists to invade Israel immediately after the Oct. 7 massacre, but Israel expected this and boosted its defenses. Jewish communities worldwide also are frequent targets of Hezbollah’s terror. The group orchestrated the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Argentina, killing 85 in a calculated attack. Hezbollah regularly attacks Israelis in countries from Bulgaria to India.
Middle Eastern Muslims: ‘May Allah curse Nasrallah’
In Lebanon, Syria and Iran, some Muslims celebrated Nasrallah’s death, viewing it as retribution for the group’s many years of oppressive actions. In Lebanon, residents suffer under Hezbollah’s gradual takeover of the country’s political and military power over the last several decades.
In Syria, where Hezbollah backed the Assad regime’s brutal civil war crackdown, including mass executions of its own citizens, some Syrians expressed relief. A crowd passed out sweets and chanted, “May Allah curse your soul, Nasrallah!” Comments to a reporter included, “We are happy about the killing of Nasrallah, who sent his soldiers to massacre the Syrian people, to kill our women and children,” and, “Netanyahu 1, Nasrallah 0!”
A leading Saudi journalist wrote: “From Bin Laden to Nasrallah and everyone in between—they all set fire to the region and they were all killed in their homes and basements. Israel’s intelligence infiltration will remain the greatest story for decades to come.”
In Iran, dissenters cheered the downfall of a figure seen as an extension of the regime’s influence and its oppressive Mideast policies. Iranians gathered outside the Israeli embassy in London, waving Iranian, Israeli and British flags in support of Israel’s actions against Hezbollah.
American, Palestinian media praise Nasrallah: ‘Perfect’ grandfather
In contrast, some American organizations and even some media found ways to mourn the death of the Hezbollah leader. Virulently anti-Israel Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace chapters praised Nasrallah. A post from one group stated in response to his killing: “‘death to israel’ [sic] is not just a threat. it is a moral imperative and the only acceptable solution.”
In Dearborn, Mich., the Hadi Youth Community Center held a memorial service where participants wept. An imam called Nasrallah “perfect.” The center has a history of praising Hezbollah and Iranian terrorist leaders. In July, an imam invoked a blood libel—accusing Jews of murder for using the victim’s blood in a Jewish ritual: “Israelis are skinning the Palestinians, or harvesting their organs.”
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas “sent his condolences to Hezbollah for the act of martyrdom by Nasrallah.” Other Palestinian leaders offered their “warm, heartfelt condolences.” An official P.A. newspaper published a cartoon invoking the antisemitic blood libel.
Several prominent news sources included portrayals of Nasrallah not only as a tyrant and a terrorist leader but also as a father figure, with some pointing to his “propensity to crack jokes.” The Guardian described “a qualified Islamic scholar, effective public speaker and competent organizer.” Wikipedia editors used these descriptions as a justification for suppressing his description as a terrorist.
American bipartisan support for Israel remains strong. President Biden: “Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis and Lebanese civilians.” U.S. President Joe Biden ordered a significant increase in troops and warplanes to the region to fortify Israel’s defense.
Points to consider:
- No country should tolerate thousands of rockets fired at its citizens.
Much of the world expects the Jewish state to endure relentless rocket attacks—from Hezbollah in the north, Hamas in the south and the Houthis from Yemen—without responding. Every nation has the right to defend its people. Israelis have faced nearly 10,000 rocket, missile and drone attacks from Hezbollah alone since Oct. 8. The constant rocket barrages target civilians, causing destruction, fear and loss of life—turning vibrant communities into ghost towns. International criticism often condemns Israel’s responses, but not the terror attacks that sparked them. Any sovereign state would take similar measures to protect its citizens. Israel’s actions are a matter of basic self-defense in the face of ongoing aggression.
- Westerners mourning Nasrallah’s death ignore facts and history.
University students, community activists and politicians who mourned longtime Hezbollah leader’s death are far removed from the daily threats faced by those in the Middle East. Nasrallah’s reign instilled widespread fear, violence and oppression for Israelis, Syrians and Lebanese. The elimination of Hezbollah’s top leadership is a potential seismic shift in a decades-long struggle against terrorism. Those mourning are either naïve about how Hezbollah destabilizes the region or unwittingly support Iran’s push for regional dominance.
- The war against Hezbollah is far from over.
Despite recent setbacks, Hezbollah remains a formidable force, well-funded and heavily armed. The recent beeper blasts and strikes against its leaders are tactical victories, but the terror group is still capable of regrouping. Hezbollah retains about 25,000 full-time fighters, tens of thousands of reservists and an arsenal of 150,000 rockets and missiles. As long as Hezbollah has access to resources and regional support—and as long as Iran continues its commitment to destroying Israel—its capability to regroup and wage war endures. The fight against this terror organization is just beginning, requiring sustained efforts to ensure lasting security for Israel, the Middle East and even America.
- Most Israelis, Iranians and Lebanese value co-existence.
Iran and Israel once enjoyed strong diplomatic relations, with Israeli businesses thriving in Iran during the 1960s and early 1970s. Lebanon, with its vibrant multicultural society, once described as the Riviera of the Middle East—maintained open and friendly connections with its Jewish neighbors before the devastation of the Lebanese civil war and the rise of Hezbollah. Despite the current conflicts, many of the citizens of these nations still long for the cooperation that once existed.
