Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is yet another tragic episode in its long-running campaign of state terrorism that has pushed the Middle East to the brink of a full-scale regional war. The ramifications of such an act extend far beyond immediate aftermath of the strike, it signals a deepening of Israel’s aggressive policies, which have, over the past several months crossed every conceivable red line of international law and human decency.
Revered by millions, Nasrallah, was more than just the Secretary General of Hezbollah — he was embodiment of resistance against Israeli occupation and aggression. By assassinating him, Israel may have removed a key figure from battlefield yet they have also lit the fuse for an even greater conflict. His death will not quell Hezbollah’s resolve, nor will it weaken spirit of resistance in Lebanon. In fact, history has shown that movements like Hezbollah, rooted in political and social grievances, do not dissolve when their leaders are killed, rather they strengthen and evolve. Nasrallah’s death will pave the way for someone new to take command and the resistance against Israel will likely intensify.
Israel’s recent actions, including targeted assassination of Nasrallah, are part of a broader campaign that has escalated since the Gaza conflict reignited on October 7. In the span of a few months, Israel has carried out multiple assassinations, including that of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah commander Qubaisi in Lebanon. This alarming pattern reflects Israel’s shift from traditional military operations to a strategy that targets individual leaders while indiscriminately bombing civilian areas, hospitals and schools. It is an unspeakable crime against humanity, designed to destabilise entire nations and terrorise civilian populations. The scale of Israel’s military operations is staggering. Over the past year, Israel has devastated entire communities not just in Gaza, but now in Lebanon as well. Over 700 Lebanese civilians have been killed in recent Israeli airstrikes and Lebanese Health Ministry has warned that the toll is likely to rise as Israeli bombardment continues unabated. The strikes on Hezbollah’s strongholds in southern Beirut have forced hundreds of families to flee their homes, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters or along Beirut’s seaside.
But the most infuriating aspect of this entire ordeal is the complicit role played by few powers in supporting Israel’s actions. Instead of taking steps to de-escalate the conflict, US President Joe Biden had the audacity to call Nasrallah’s assassination ‘a measure of justice.’ Such statements are not only tone-deaf, but they are also profoundly irresponsible. By framing the killing of political leaders as ‘justice,’ Biden legitimises Israel’s state-sponsored terrorism and encourages more bloodshed. Such a dangerous narrative only serves to escalate tensions, not ease them. The UN and major powers, have been ineffectual in curbing Israel’s reckless aggression. Mere verbal condemnations at international forums like the UN General Assembly are not enough. Stronger actions are needed to rein in Israel and its leadership before the region spirals into an all-out war. It is time for concrete measures to be implemented, starting with sanctions on Israel for its flagrant violations of international law and its war crimes against civilians.
The international community, particularly Muslim nations that maintain trade and diplomatic relations with Israel bears a moral responsibility to act decisively and lead the charge in cutting off all ties — both economic and diplomatic. If sanctions are not imposed, if trade relations continue and if global community remains silent, Israel will continue its campaign of terror with impunity. The death of Nasrallah and others will not be the end, they are merely the latest victims of an Israeli policy that seeks to subjugate an entire region through violence and intimidation. The international community must demand more than empty statements and weak resolutions and it must hold Israel accountable. This process should begin with taking concrete steps to isolate Israel diplomatically and economically.
