The standoff between Israel and Hezbollah continued even days after eliminating the militant group’s head, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has now claimed to have killed Hashem Safieddine, who would likely be the next head of Hezbollah. This development reportedly comes as Lebanon prepares for a secret ceremony to cremate Hassan Nasrallah.
Israel’s latest attack in Beirut has sent shockwaves through Lebanon, Iran and Hezbollah circles. However, there has been no confirmation of Safieddine’s death from Hezbollah or Lebanese authorities. A Reuters report citing local sources indicates that Safieddine may have survived the Israeli attack.
Who is Hashem Safieddine?
Hashem Safieddine, likely successor to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, was born in southern Lebanon in the early 1960s and is one of the founding members of Hezbollah. He reportedly joined the Shia Muslim group in the 1980s during Lebanon’s civil war. Safieddine held various positions, including political, spiritual and cultural leadership roles, as well as overseeing the group’s military activities at one point and mostly wore a black turban, signifying his status as a respected Shia cleric.
Safieddine reportedly studied in Iran, where he formed strong ties with Tehran during his religious studies in Qom before returning to Lebanon to work for Hezbollah.
He has experienced significant growth and held the top position on the group’s council in 1995. Later, in 1998, he was elected to head the party’s executive council, a position Nasrallah held before becoming Hezbollah’s secretary general in 1992.
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