Israel's Pivotal Victory: The Assassination of Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah

The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel has boosted national morale and strengthened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position. The nationwide survey shows strong support for the offensive against Hezbollah, following a year marked by conflict and security failures. The operation has significantly weakened Hezbollah, restoring Israel's military confidence.

For Israel, the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has been a moment to savor, lifting the spirits of a nation still grappling with the trauma of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and a year of war, and boosting once-embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

After Nasrallah's death in an Israeli air strike in Beirut was confirmed on Saturday, Netanyahu delivered a televised statement, calling the assassination a "turning point" in the ongoing war. "One year later, blow after blow ... their hopes have been dashed. Israel has momentum, we are winning," he declared.

On Tuesday, the military announced that commandos had crossed into Lebanon to conduct targeted raids after weeks of intensifying air strikes. Hours later, it was confirmed that special forces units had been operating in Lebanon for months. A survey from the Israel Democracy Institute found that 80% of Israelis, including 90% of Jewish Israelis, supported the decision to start the offensive against Hezbollah, even while the war continues in Gaza.

Netanyahu, who has been recovering ground since the war started, may benefit politically. The successful attacks on Nasrallah and the previous assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have strengthened his grip on the coalition government, expanding his majority to 68 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.

"Netanyahu's claim has always been 'Mr Security,' and now finally, after Oct. 7, he's managed to regain the title," said Aviv Bushinsky, a political commentator. A recent poll by Israel's N12 News shows Netanyahu's Likud party recovering in the polls, though still short of winning an election. Forty-three percent of respondents rated Netanyahu's conduct of the war positively, up from 35% in the previous poll.

Israelis were devastated by the Oct. 7 attack, which marked the deadliest single day in the nation's history since the Yom Kippur war, with 1,200 dead and over 250 hostages taken. Tens of thousands have been uprooted from their homes due to rocket fire from Hezbollah in support of Hamas. Although Israel's campaign against Hezbollah is ongoing, it has restored a sense of military confidence.

Despite the current successes, challenges remain. The architect of the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, remains elusive, and hostages are still in Gaza. The political commentator Bushinsky cautions that the sense of victory may be temporary, as pressing issues resurface with the first anniversary of the attack approaching.

(With inputs from agencies.)