Speculation has been mounting regarding who will succeed Hezbollah leader and Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah following his assassination in an Israeli Air Force air strike, with much attention focused on his cousin, Hashem Safieddine.
A prominent figure within Hezbollah's leadership, Safieddine, who is in his late 50s or early 60s, has headed the militant group's Executive Council since 2001. He is considered one of the most likely candidates to assume leadership of the militant group as he has long been involved in the organization's military and political strategic decision-making.
He has deep religious, political and familial ties to Iran, Hezbollah's chief backer, and is widely regarded as a hardliner, has a close physical resemblance to Nasrallah and even claims to be a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. All of these factors would help Safieddine consolidate authority within Hezbollah and avoid a potentially vicious succession crisis.
A source close to Hezbollah, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described Safieddine as the "most likely" candidate to take over as the group’s leader. However, Hezbollah has not officially confirmed his selection. (Related: Major retaliation expected after Israel kills Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah plus Iranian senior Revolutionary Guard commander.)
His rise to power would come with notable international implications. Since 2017, the United States has listed Safieddine as a designated terrorist, accusing him of leading Hezbollah’s operations and maintaining close ties with Iran.
Safieddine's family is well-respected among Shia Muslims in Lebanon, and they have produced prominent religious scholars and political leaders. He and Nasrallah studied together in the theological centers of Najaf, Iraq, and Qom, Iran, further cementing their bond. His brother serves as Hezbollah’s representative in Iran, while Safieddine’s son is married to the daughter of the late Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general assassinated by the U.S. in a drone strike in 2020.
While Safieddine's name has gained traction, particularly among Hezbollah insiders and regional analysts, Israeli media sources have labeled him as more extreme than Nasrallah, which could signal a more confrontational approach should he assume leadership. His potential appointment would likely signify a continuation of Hezbollah’s close alignment with Iran and its ongoing defiance of Western and Israeli interests.
Israel already attempting to kill Safieddine
Israel is very aware of Safieddine's position within Hezbollah and has spent the past few days figuring out how to take him out of Hezbollah's leadership race before he is confirmed as the group's new leader.
On Oct. 2, Israel conducted a targeted strike in a neighborhood of Beirut with the goal of snuffing out Safieddine. The strikes took place in a suburb just south of Beirut, where many senior Hezbollah leaders have residential compounds. The strike was reportedly far larger than the one that killed Nasrallah.
While the number of people killed in this strike is not yet known, Safieddine is likely not among them. (Related: Netanyahu says bombings in Lebanon will continue until Israel completes mission: "Our war is not with you; our war is with Hezbollah.")
This was followed up with more airstrikes on Oct. 3, in what The Guardian described as "one of the most intense bombardments on the city" since Israel began its air campaign against Lebanon. As of press time, it is unknown if Safieddine was killed in this latest strike.
Watch this episode of the "Geopolitical Economy Report" as journalist and geopolitical expert Ben Norton discusses how Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah helped defeat ISIS, protected Lebanon's Christians and fought against Israeli colonialism.
This video is from the What Is Happening channel on Brighteon.com.
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