Netanyahu claims Israel ‘took out Nasrallah’s replacement’
Israeli PM Netanyahu claimes Israel killed Hashem Safieddine, Hezbollah's executive head and Nasrallah's likely successor, in a recent airstrike. (AA Photo)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel “took out Nasrallah’s replacement,” claiming the death of Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and a potential successor to Hassan Nasrallah.
In a televised address, Netanyahu asserted, “We took out thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself, Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of his replacement.”
Netanyahu made these statements following an Israeli attack that he said targeted Safieddine, who was expected to succeed Nasrallah as Hezbollah’s leader.
He emphasized that Israel’s actions have inflicted significant damage on the militant group, urging the Lebanese people to resist Hezbollah’s influence.
Netanyahu blames Iran for Lebanon crisis
In a video message directed at the Lebanese people, Netanyahu blamed Iran for the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, shifting the responsibility away from Israel.
He warned that Lebanese citizens face dire consequences similar to those experienced by Palestinians in Gaza if they do not act against Hezbollah, stating, “You have the chance to save Lebanon before you fall into a prolonged war that will lead to destruction and suffering, like what we’ve seen in Gaza. It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27 in the Dahiyeh neighborhood of southern Beirut. While Hezbollah has not announced a successor for Nasrallah, Safieddine is being discussed as a leading candidate.
Israeli media previously reported that the Israeli army targeted Safieddine in an airstrike in southern Beirut on October 3.
