Israeli army confirms death of potential Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine
Hashem Safieddine, known for his fiery speeches and commitment to resisting Israel, shares Nasrallah's hardline stance. (AA Photo)
The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that Hashem Safieddine, who was poised to succeed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an airstrike in Beirut three weeks ago.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated on Tuesday that Hashem Safieddine was killed in an airstrike on October 4 in Beirut’s southern Dahiye neighborhood.
“It can now be confirmed that in an attack approximately three weeks ago, Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, and Ali Hussein Hazima, the head of Hezbollah’s Intelligence Directorate, were killed along with other Hezbollah commanders,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
Hezbollah has yet to comment on the Israeli army’s allegations.
According to Lebanese security sources, Safieddine, chairman of Hezbollah’s executive council, had been unreachable since the strike. He was reportedly in an underground headquarters in the Marijah area at the time of the attack.
Widely regarded as the most likely successor to Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes in the same Dahiye neighborhood on September 27, Safieddine has emerged as a key candidate for the position of Secretary-General.
While Hezbollah has yet to officially choose Nasrallah’s successor, reports indicate that Safieddine is a strong contender.
Israeli media previously reported that Safieddine had been targeted in an airstrike on the night of October 3 in southern Beirut.
