Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s successor killed in Israeli attack, targeted during meeting, IDF announces

Hezbollah’s top leader Hashem Safieddin was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut earlier this month. The Israeli army (IDF) confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddin on Tuesday. Safieddin was the cousin of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Safieddin was considered his successor after Nasrallah was killed in late September. According to the IDF, Safieddin was killed during the attack on October 4. Along with him, the head of the group’s intelligence department, Hussein Ali Hajima, was also killed.

Intelligence headquarters targeted

The Israeli army targeted Hezbollah’s underground intelligence headquarters in Dahiyah, Beirut, in an airstrike. The Israeli army said it was located among the civilian population in the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital. The IDF said more than 25 members of Hezbollah’s intelligence department, including top commanders, were present at the headquarters at the time of the attack.

Safieddin was not contactable since the attack. On Tuesday, the IDF said that Safieddin had died. However, Hezbollah has not yet announced his death. The Israeli army chief said, ‘We have eliminated Nasrallah, his successor and most of Hezbollah’s leadership. We know how to reach anyone who threatens the security of Israeli citizens.’

Who was Safieddin?

Safiddin was the cousin of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The US declared him a terrorist in 2017. Like Nasrallah, Safieddin was also a Shia cleric who wore a black turban like him. Safieddin, who had a white beard and glasses, looked very similar to Nasrallah, but he was several years younger than Nasrallah. A source close to Hezbollah told AFP in early October that Safieddine, who has good ties with Iran, was the first choice to lead the group.

Safieddine had a significant say in Hezbollah’s decisions. He was the head of the executive council overseeing Hezbollah’s financial and administrative affairs. He was also appointed to the Jihad Council responsible for military operations. He used to take over for Nasrallah when he was out of Lebanon. In the past few years, he has been involved in key Hezbollah decisions. He also directed terrorist activities against Israel.