Contradictory Reactions in the Arab World to the Death of Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah

The killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel has been met with silence from many countries in the region, indicating a divide between populations angry at Israel and officials who have normalized relations with Israel or oppose the Iranian government that supports Hezbollah. According to Reuters, Hassan Nasrallah, who led the powerful militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon for 32 years, has created regional enemies beyond Israel and the West. Gulf countries and the Arab League broadly designated his group as a 'terrorist organization' in 2016; however, the Arab League retracted this designation earlier this year. The Saudi government stated on Sunday evening that it is seriously monitoring developments in Lebanon and emphasized the need to maintain Lebanon's sovereignty and regional security, but made no mention of Nasrallah. Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain have remained completely silent regarding Nasrallah's death. The UAE and Bahrain normalized relations with Israel in 2020, and Bahrain suppressed a significant pro-democracy uprising from its Shia community in 2011. However, the Iranian-backed Bahraini television channel Al-Luluwa aired videos showing relatively medium-sized rallies mourning Nasrallah. This channel reported that the Bahraini government 'attacked' demonstrators and detained some. The opposition website 'Bahrain Mirror' reported that the Bahraini government arrested a Shia cleric for expressing condolences for Hassan Nasrallah. Reuters could not verify reports from Bahraini media. According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke by phone with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, stating that Cairo rejects any violation of Lebanon's sovereignty. Nasrallah was not mentioned in this statement. Egypt has previously criticized the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxy groups, although it has had informal contacts with the Iranian government, and the Egyptian foreign minister has previously held official meetings with Iranian officials. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad al-Khalili, the Grand Mufti of Oman, stated on social media platform X that his country is saddened by the death of the Hezbollah secretary-general 'after being a thorn in the side of the Zionist project for over three decades.' Omar al-Jamal, an Iraqi journalist, wrote on X: 'Nasrallah's victims in Syria number in the hundreds of thousands; does he deserve the mercy of Muslims?' A journalist based in the UAE, Saif al-Dar'i, shared a video on X depicting what he claimed was the 'joy' of residents in Idlib province, Syria, following news of Nasrallah's death. He stated: 'Hezbollah did what the Jews did not do against our brothers in Syria.' Abdul Latif al-Sheikh, a Saudi poet, wrote on X: 'The triumphant look is not merely [a display of] accidental hostility, but a natural reaction to a series of dirty policies and actions that have provoked widespread dissatisfaction.' An Egyptian television presenter named Lamis al-Hadidi stated on X: 'The joy and triumphant look [at Nasrallah's death] now represents a victory for the enemy, tearing apart the (Arab) nation, and betraying the people of Lebanon and Gaza.' She said: 'Put aside your differences and forget Iran, because there is an Arab country that is being bombed every hour.' The expansion of Israeli attacks in Yemen and the continued bombing of Lebanon; 105 killed in Lebanon and escalating conflicts to prevent the spread of war in the Middle East; Biden says he will talk to the Israeli prime minister. A Republican U.S. senator stated that the killing of Hassan Nasrallah is 'a service to humanity.' Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel still has tough days ahead. Kirby: 'All-out war' with Hezbollah or the Iranian government will not restore security to northern Israel. Nabil Qawuq, a senior Hezbollah official, was killed in the Israeli attack.