Hezbollah has confirmed that Hashem Safieddine, a key cleric and potential future leader of the group, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut nearly three weeks ago. The Israeli military reported on Tuesday that the strike also resulted in the death of Ali Hussein Hazima, the head of Hezbollah’s Intelligence Headquarters.
In a statement, Hezbollah mourned Safieddine as “a great leader and a great martyr” who led an “honorable life.” Safieddine, who was the head of Hezbollah’s executive council, was a cousin of the late Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s long-time leader. After Nasrallah was killed in a separate Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2023, Safieddine had stepped into a more significant leadership role and was expected to succeed him.
The October 4 airstrike targeted areas near Beirut’s airport, cutting off communications with Safieddine. Israeli officials had previously indicated that he was a specific target due to his role in directing attacks against Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that he had been involved in planning various “terrorist attacks” and was key in Hezbollah’s decision-making.
At about 60 years old, Safieddine had a background in religious studies from Iran and was labeled a “global terrorist” by the United States and Saudi Arabia in 2017. His family connections included ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards; his son was married to the daughter of Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking commander killed in a 2020 U.S. airstrike in Iraq.
Hezbollah has been facing increasing pressure and attacks amid rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. As the conflict escalates, the group’s leadership changes and strategic responses will be closely watched by both local and international observers.
