Hezbollah has elected Naim Qassem as its new leader following the death of its long-time chief, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. This information is based on reports in Lebanese media. The group confirmed Nasrallah’s death on Saturday, marking the end of his nearly three-decade-long leadership.
Qassem, who served as Hezbollah’s deputy leader before this appointment, steps into the leadership role at a critical time. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah grew into a significant political and military force in Lebanon and across the Middle East, backed by Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.”
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Israeli military officials reported that during “Operation New Order,” they dropped 80 bombs, each weighing one ton, on Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Dahieh, a southern suburb of Beirut. The strike killed not only Nasrallah but also his daughter, Zainab, and Ali Al-Kurki, Hezbollah’s southern front commander.
The airstrikes were carried out after Israeli forces confirmed Nasrallah was hiding in a bunker, intensifying their bombardment. Nasrallah’s death represents a significant loss to Hezbollah and its Iranian backers, as he was a pivotal figure in expanding Iran’s influence in the region.
Impact on Hezbollah and the Middle East
Nasrallah’s death follows a series of targeted Israeli strikes on Hezbollah leaders, including top commanders like Fuad Shukr and Ibrahim Aqil. Hezbollah has lost several senior figures in recent operations, raising questions about the group’s leadership stability and future direction.
Lebanese health authorities confirmed six dead and 91 injured in the initial wave of attacks on Friday.
Who Will Lead Hezbollah Next?
While reports suggest that Qassem has been named Nasrallah’s successor, speculation continues about another potential leader—Hashem Safieddine. Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin, is a key figure in Hezbollah’s political operations and is widely considered a top candidate to eventually assume leadership.
According to the New York Times, Safieddine was one of the few senior Hezbollah figures not present at the time of the strike. His future role in Hezbollah remains uncertain, but his long-standing influence within the movement positions him as a significant figure moving forward.
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