In a significant military development, the Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it has confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddine, a high-ranking Hezbollah leader and potential successor to the group’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah. This follows an airstrike that reportedly took place three weeks ago in a southern suburb of Beirut.
The Israeli military’s statement indicated that Safieddine, who headed Hezbollah’s Executive Council, was killed alongside Ali Hussein Hazima, the head of the group’s Intelligence Directorate, during a targeted attack on Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had alluded to the elimination of Safieddine in an October 8 address, asserting that Israeli forces had “taken out” numerous terrorists, including Nasrallah and his potential successors.
While the confirmation comes from Israeli sources, Hezbollah has yet to officially comment on the claims regarding Safieddine’s death. According to high-level sources within Hezbollah, Safieddine had been out of contact since the Israeli strikes earlier this month.
Safieddine, noted for his close ties with Hezbollah’s main ally, Iran, was seen as a likely candidate to assume leadership of the group following Nasrallah. A member of Hezbollah’s decision-making body and a distant relative of Nasrallah, he was known for his deep religious convictions and strategic role within the organization.
Israeli military officials, including army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, expressed confidence that they have effectively targeted the leadership structure of Hezbollah, stating, “We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement, and most of Hezbollah’s senior leadership.”
Sources By Agencies
