Israel’s Military Confirms Killing of Hezbollah’s Hashem Safieddine

Hashem Safieddine, a senior leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, has been confirmed killed by Israel‘s military. Safieddine, who was widely regarded as the successor to Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah, was targeted in an Israeli airstrike on October 3, 2024, in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, a known Hezbollah stronghold.

Safieddine held significant positions within Hezbollah, including serving as the head of the group’s Executive Council since 2001 and being a member of the Shura Council, Hezbollah’s most senior military-political forum. He was also the head of the Jihad Council and oversaw Hezbollah’s political, social, and educational activities.

Following Nasrallah’s assassination on September 27, 2024, Safieddine was seen as a leading candidate to succeed him. He had strong ties with the Iranian regime and was supported by Iran as a potential successor to Nasrallah.

The airstrike that targeted Safieddine also aimed at an underground bunker where Hezbollah intelligence chief Hussein Hazimah was believed to be located. Hezbollah reported losing contact with Safieddine after the airstrike, and Israeli officials later confirmed that he was likely “eliminated”.

The confirmation of Safieddine’s death comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting Israel to address the escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.