Analysis and Breakdown:
Israel’s killing of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has caused a split between outraged populations and authorities in Sunni-led states across the region. Nasrallah, who led the Shi’ite armed group for 32 years, had made enemies beyond Israel and the West, with Gulf countries and the Arab League designating his group as a “terrorist organization.”
Saudi Arabia expressed “grave concern” over the developments in Lebanon but did not mention Nasrallah, while other Sunni-ruled states like Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain remained silent. Bahrain, which had recently normalized ties with Israel, reportedly detained individuals mourning Nasrallah’s death.
The Egyptian president spoke to the Lebanese Prime Minister, emphasizing the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty without mentioning Nasrallah. Other states like Syria and Iraq declared a mourning period for Nasrallah.
Online, Nasrallah’s death sparked grief and criticism, with some praising his opposition to the “Zionist project” while others condemned Hezbollah’s intervention in the Syrian civil war. The killing also led to debates over the impact on the region, with some calling for unity amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Overall, Nasrallah’s death has exposed divisions and tensions in the Middle East, highlighting the complex relationships between different countries and groups in the region.