The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday confirmed it had eliminated Hashem Safieddine, who was poised to succeed the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah was reportedly killed last month in an Israeli attack targeting the Iran-backed militant group.
“Hashem Safieddine, Head of the Hezbollah Executive Council, and Ali Hussein Hazima, Commander of Hezbollah’s Intelligence Headquarters, were killed during a strike on Hezbollah’s main intelligence HQ in Dahieh approximately three weeks ago”, the IDF announced in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The Rise of Hashem Safieddine
Cousin of Nasrallah, Safieddine was a significant figure within Hezbollah, serving on its Jihad Council, which oversees the group’s military operations. He also held a prominent position on Hezbollah’s Executive Council, managing the organization’s financial and administrative affairs.
Safieddine’s prominence grew in recent years as he took on public roles that Nasrallah had avoided due to security risks. He frequently addressed high-profile events and funerals, becoming a visible face for the militant group during periods of heightened tensions with Israel.
The IDF said that Safieddine was also a member of Hezbollah’s Shura Council, the group’s most senior decision-making body. In Nasrallah’s absence, Safieddine occasionally stepped in as acting Secretary-General, solidifying his influence over the organization’s strategies. Israeli officials accuse him of directing numerous attacks on Israel, contributing to Hezbollah’s military campaigns against the state.
Ali Hussein Hazima, who also died in the airstrike, headed Hezbollah’s intelligence apparatus and had been involved in planning attacks targeting Israeli soldiers.
Hezbollah Silent Amid Intensified Offensive
Hezbollah has not yet issued a response to Israel’s announcement regarding Safieddine’s death. However, the loss marks a significant blow to the group, which has seen several of its senior commanders killed in recent Israeli strikes.
Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said, “We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement, and much of Hezbollah’s senior leadership. We will reach anyone who threatens the security of Israel’s civilians.”
The latest escalation comes amid Israel’s intensified military operations in Lebanon following a year of border skirmishes with Hezbollah. The militant group, known as Iran’s most heavily armed proxy in the region, has aligned itself with Palestinian factions in Gaza during recent clashes with Israel. However, Hezbollah is reeling from the elimination of key leaders in recent weeks, weakening its operational capabilities at a critical juncture.