The illegitimate state of Israel continues its reign of terror, expanding its military operations beyond Gaza and into the wider region, causing concern that the entire Middle East may be dragged into a new wave of conflict. Following Israel’s recent attack on Lebanon, Hezbollah confirmed the martyrdom of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli forces launched a targeted strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, with the clear objective of eliminating Nasrallah. Israeli claims that both Hassan Nasrallah and his daughter, Zainab Nasrallah, were killed in the assault have now been verified by Hezbollah itself. The Israeli military also claimed responsibility for the deaths of Hezbollah’s missile unit commander, Mohammed Ali Ismail, and his deputy, Hussein Ahmed Ismail. The attack further resulted in the death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard deputy commander Abbas Nelfroshan, demonstrating the far-reaching implications of the assault for the region’s balance of power.
In the wake of Nasrallah’s martyrdom, Hezbollah’s affairs will be managed by Naeem Qassem until a new leader is elected. Qassem, a veteran member of Hezbollah’s Shura Council, is expected to be succeeded by Nasrallah’s cousin and son-in-law, Hashem Safieddine, who currently heads Hezbollah’s Executive Council and plays a key role in its Jihad Council. It is worth noting that in 2017, the U.S. State Department had designated Safieddine as a terrorist, illustrating the longstanding enmity between Hezbollah and Western powers. Following Nasrallah’s assassination, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was moved to a secure location, and security around him has been tightened. In a statement, Khamenei urged all Muslims to stand united with Hezbollah and the Lebanese people, condemning the Zionist regime’s brutal nature. He remarked that the killing of unarmed civilians in Lebanon further exposed Israel’s savage conduct, noting that Israeli leaders had learned nothing from their year-long war in Gaza.
The systematic targeting of women, children, and civilians, he added, will not diminish the resistance’s strength or force them to capitulate. He also warned that Israel’s policy, now being extended to Lebanon, is doomed to fail, as regional resistance forces stand in full solidarity with Hezbollah. Khamenei also reminded the Lebanese of their history, recalling the time when Israeli forces were advancing towards Beirut, only to be stopped by Hezbollah’s resistance. He expressed confidence that, by the grace of God, Lebanon would once again expose Israel’s aggression and leave the occupiers humiliated. On the other side of the Atlantic, the United States has once again aligned itself with Israel’s violent campaign, declaring full support for its actions. President Joe Biden, in a chillingly blunt statement, ordered U.S. forces in the Middle East to remain on high alert, instructing the Pentagon to ensure that American military assets are ready to back Israel.
Over 40,000 U.S. troops in the region have been placed on standby, with warnings issued to Iran and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed these sentiments, making it clear that any attempt to harm U.S. or Israeli military assets would be met with severe consequences. President Biden even hailed the assassination of Nasrallah as a “just action,” leaving little doubt about the U.S.’s approval of Israel’s escalating violence. This unequivocal support from Washington makes it clear that the U.S. is fanning the flames of war in the Middle East. By arming and supplying Israel with the tools of terrorism, the U.S., the UK, and other Western allies are making a stark declaration: they have no regard for international laws or peace. As Israel continues to wreak havoc in Gaza, Lebanon, and other parts of the region, these powers openly defy efforts at the International Court of Justice to hold Israel accountable. It is high time that not only Israel but also its Western backers face legal consequences for their role in perpetuating terror and instability.
Perhaps the most shameful aspect of this tragic situation is the inaction of leaders from Muslim nations. While condemnations pour in, they remain mere words, lacking any concrete action against Israel’s persistent aggression. It is now an undeniable fact that unless the Muslim world unites and takes firm steps against Israel and its Western sponsors, the relentless cycle of Israeli terrorism will never end. The U.S. and its allies, by openly supporting Israeli terrorism, are pushing the Middle East towards an all-out war. By assassinating figures like Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah, they signal a clear intent to destabilize the entire region. If Muslim leaders continue to respond only with empty statements, it will not be long before they, too, fall victim to the terror that the U.S. and its proxies have unleashed upon the region. In this perilous moment, silence and inaction are tantamount to complicity. Muslim nations must rise beyond rhetoric and act decisively to stem the tide of aggression, lest they be consumed by the very forces of destruction they now seek to pacify with words.
