Hezbollah’s Military Expansion and the 2000 Israeli Withdrawal
One of Nasrallah’s most significant achievements was Hezbollah’s role in ending Israel’s 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon. By the mid-1990s, Hezbollah had developed into a well-organized and highly capable militant group. It conducted guerrilla warfare against Israeli forces, inflicting heavy casualties and maintaining a relentless resistance campaign.
Nasrallah’s leadership style blended military strategy with effective rhetoric. He delivered powerful speeches that motivated Hezbollah’s fighters and resonated with the broader Shia population in Lebanon. Nasrallah’s communication skills became a key part of his leadership, as his speeches were broadcast widely across the Arab world.
In 2000, after years of sustained Hezbollah attacks and pressure from the international community, Israel withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon. This withdrawal was seen as a major victory for Hezbollah and significantly boosted Nasrallah’s popularity. He was lauded as a hero of resistance, and Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon soared.
The Israeli withdrawal also solidified Hezbollah’s reputation as a defender of Lebanese sovereignty, which Nasrallah skillfully used to justify the group’s continued armed presence in the country. Over the next few years, Hezbollah built up its military capabilities, acquiring an arsenal of rockets and missiles, many of which were supplied by Iran.