A Year Without Nasrallah

It has been twelve months since Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s longtime leader, was killed in a crushing Israeli airstrike that reduced much of southern Beirut to rubble. His death left a gaping hole in Lebanon’s political and military landscape, but it did not silence his movement. Instead, his successor, Naim Qassem, is now leading the Shiite faction with one message: Hezbollah’s weapons are not up for negotiation.

Lebanon Pushes Disarmament, Hezbollah Pushes Back

The new Lebanese government, under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has signaled its intent to disarm Hezbollah, arguing that the group’s weakened military capacity makes it an unsustainable liability for the state. Yet, in front of thousands at Nasrallah’s tomb, Qassem dismissed that plan outright, insisting that surrendering arms would be tantamount to surrendering Lebanon itself to Israeli interests.

“We will never abandon our weapons,” he declared, reaffirming Hezbollah’s role as both a militia and a political player that refuses to bow to either domestic or foreign pressure.

A Movement Still in Mourning, Still in Defiance

The commemoration in southern Beirut drew black-clad crowds carrying portraits of Nasrallah, chanting slogans of resistance and grief. Iran’s envoy, Ali Larijani, joined the gathering, reinforcing the group’s deep ties with Tehran. For Hezbollah loyalists, the weapons are not just steel and explosives; they are symbols of survival.

Ordinary supporters expressed the same conviction. “Handing over weapons is the dream of the enemies,” said Ali Jaafar, a university student. “It will remain just a dream.”

War Damage and Shattered Illusions

The defiance comes despite Hezbollah’s staggering losses over the past year. Israel’s precision strikes eliminated not only Nasrallah but also Hashem Safieddine, his presumed successor. Thousands of pagers, secretly rigged by Israeli intelligence, exploded in the hands of Hezbollah operatives, killing fighters and civilians alike. The blasts even claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl, fueling public outrage but also exposing Hezbollah’s vulnerability.

Still, for supporters, weakness has not translated into submission. “We came here to tell everyone in Lebanon that Hezbollah is still strong,” said Fatima, a widow whose husband died in last year’s war.

Between State Authority and Street Power

The standoff is now unmistakable: a government trying to assert control versus a group unwilling to cede power. Beirut’s leadership sees disarmament as a path to stability, but Hezbollah views it as betrayal. With Israel still hovering on Lebanon’s borders and Gaza under siege, the group’s survival instinct outweighs any talk of reconciliation.

The Road Ahead

The anniversary of Nasrallah’s killing was meant to be a moment of reflection. Instead, it became a reminder that Lebanon remains trapped between competing visions—state sovereignty on one side, armed resistance on the other. Hezbollah has made its position clear: weapons are here to stay, no matter how high the cost.