In an exclusive interview with Press TV, the daughter of the martyred leader of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon revealed that her father lived a simple life in ordinary residential apartments in the Lebanese capital and never sought to hide in any underground bunkers. 

Zainab Nasrallah, daughter of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, explained to Press TV that the underground headquarters of the Resistance movement was built specifically for times of war and during periods of intense conflict with the Israeli occupation.

"Sayyed Hassan never used these underground areas in his daily life. They were built for wartime use, and until the fresh Israeli aggression on Lebanon began, he resided in apartments no lower than the 5th, 6th, or 8th floors," she said. 

Zainab stated that her father lived among the people. While some security measures were necessary to protect him as an iconic leader of the Resistance, respected by millions worldwide and viewed as the number one enemy of the Israeli occupation, he kept a lifestyle close to that of ordinary citizens.

In response to reports that the martyred leader lived in underground bunkers, she said, "My father lived like any other person, in typical apartments, as I mentioned. However, since he was assassinated in the underground headquarters, some may have believed that Sayyed Nasrallah was living underground—a false narrative that the Israeli enemy has consistently tried to propagate."

"This is completely untrue, and everyone should be aware of this."

'Among the people, for the people' 

According to Zainab, her father would drive in his car with his security companions to always be aware of the situation on the streets and among the people, adding, "He was never in hiding. He would take trips around Dahieh [Beirut's southern suburb] to check on the people, hospitals, mosques, and shops, ensuring that everything was okay."

"Of course, he always had to be cautious about protecting himself, as Israel sought to assassinate him. Israel aimed to silence him, believing that by killing him, they could destroy the resistance. However, the Israeli regime is completely mistaken in this belief."

Zainab Nasrallah stated that her father, Sayyed Nasrallah, was aware of the threats to his life. However, he took precautions not out of fear of death, but to ensure he could continue fulfilling his duties.

"He knew he would eventually be martyred for defending the cause. He stated multiple times that the US was willing to offer anything in exchange for halting our struggle with Israel. However, he was never hesitant to continue his resistance against Israeli occupation and American dominance," she said.

'The father of an entire nation'

In addition to being a steadfast pillar of the Axis of Resistance and a fierce advocate for the Palestinian cause, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was also a devoted family man, a loving father, and a doting grandfather. However, as his daughter shared with Press TV, he rarely had time to spend with them.

"We used to meet him only a few times a year due to his immense responsibilities and security concerns, but those moments were truly precious. We would gather as a family—children and grandchildren—and enjoy wonderful times together. He would inquire about each of us and ensure that we were doing well," Zainab added.

"The grandchildren would sometimes argue over who would sit next to him, occasionally getting loud. When we tried to calm them down or asked them to stop playing for a while, he would say, ‘It’s okay; they are kids who need to play happily, release energy, and make noise’."

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In her interview, Zainab described the martyred Hezbollah leader as a "loving father, a well-mannered individual, and a deeply compassionate human being," whose genuine empathy for those around him was evident.

"He was not only an exceptional father but also an outstanding leader, taking on the responsibility of defending Lebanon, Palestine, and the sacred Islamic sanctities. He stood firm against hegemonic powers while millions around the world watched silently as innocent lives were lost and brutality unfolded. He was a man of great faith."

Zainab shared that when her father was appointed Secretary-General of Hezbollah after the assassination of his predecessor, Sayyed Abbas Moussawi, in February 1992, they all felt a "heightened sense of responsibility," aware that he had become a transnational leader followed by millions around the world.

"We understood we would see him less frequently and prayed for his safety, for he was not only our father but the father of an entire nation," she stressed.

'I miss him, just like millions will miss him' 

In a heartfelt statement, she said, "His presence in our lives, his voice resonating everywhere, his words of wisdom, and his appearances on screen addressing hundreds of thousands will all be missed. People have expressed their grief over his loss and their longing for his presence among us, just as my family and I miss him."

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But she was quick to assert that her father would remain alive among her family and the people who loved him, adding, "His words and teachings will always guide us. His memory has become a source of strength, inspiring greater determination to fight for justice in this region against the Israeli apartheid regime."

A great man, a simple life

Zainab told Press TV that Sayyed Nasrallah was always concerned about the Lebanese nation and people’s welfare, explaining his concerns about people's economic conditions, the healthcare system, and what the people needed. 

"He was sensitive to their feelings and deeply cared about avoiding any harm to them. He would often remind us that even if we had the chance to drive the finest cars—which we didn’t—we must refrain. We must embrace our responsibilities and empathize with our people."

She proudly mentioned her father's sacrifices saying, "I am proud to say my father sacrificed his personal life, his young son Hadi who was martyred, and himself for the sake of the people and the cause."

A Resistance that never dies 

In reference to the Israeli statements concerning the defeat of the Resistance, she explained to Press TV that " the [Israeli] regime fails to understand that the Resistance is not reliant on a single individual, no matter how prominent," adding that the "delusional occupation" does not understand the true nature of the Resistance.

"My father often said when a fighter is martyred or when a leader is killed, it does not mean the resistance ends. It becomes our duty to embody the teachings and values of those fighters and leaders and to move forward in confronting the enemy."

She noted that "Israel" believes eliminating a key leader of the regional resistance front will deter the broader resistance movement and bring it to an end, but she described this as a distant and unrealistic dream.

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Zainab stressed that "Israel" assassinated a leader who opposed neo-colonialism—a system that exploits the region’s resources for US-Israeli interests, highlighting that her father was aware of how important it is to resist hegemonic powers and fight for justice.

With regard to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, she said, "He saw it as his duty to defend Lebanon against Israeli occupation and to stand in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, who continue to face horrific violence after 14 months of genocide."

Zainab asserted that the martyrdom of Sayyed Nasrallah has only strengthened the Resistance movement against the Israeli occupation and its Western hegemonic supporters, adding that "It has strengthened its resolve and inspired even greater commitment to fighting against occupation and neo-colonialism in Lebanon and the surrounding region."