After Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah's Killing, Cousin & Second-In-Command Emerges As Likely Successor

Hezbollah second-in-command Hashem Safieddine's family ties and physical resemblance to Nasrallah, as well as his religious status as a descendant of Prophet Mohammed, all count in his favour.

In the aftermath of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's death in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut, the spotlight is now on Hashem Safieddine, the group’s second in command, as his potential successor.

Nasrallah had led the Hezbollah for 32 years, transforming it into one of the most powerful paramilitary groups in the Middle East. With his death, the group now faces the challenge of choosing a new leader after the heaviest pounding the group has faced in its 42-year-old history, according to a Reuters report.

As per a report by Turkey's Anadolu agency, Safieddine, who is a cousin of Nasrallah, was widely regarded as his heir. He oversees Hezbollah's political affairs. He also sits on the Jihad Council, which manages the group's military operations.

In the 1980s, Safieddine travelled to Qom, Iran, to join Nasrallah in studying religious sciences, as per Anadolu. Like Nasrallah, he is a cleric who wears a black turban denoting descent from Prophet Mohammed. Safieddine's family ties and physical resemblance to Nasrallah, as well as his religious status as a descendant of Prophet Mohammed, would all count in his favour.

In 2017, the US State Department declared Safieddine a terrorist. In June, he threatened escalation against Israel following the killing of another Hezbollah commander. Safieddine's public statements often reflect Hezbollah's militant stance and its alignment with the Palestinian cause, reported Reuters. 

During a recent event in Dahiyeh, Lebanon, he declared, "Our history, our guns and our rockets are with you", in a show of solidarity with Palestinian fighters.

Hassan Nasrallah’s Death

According to the Associated Press (AP), the Israeli military said it carried out a precise airstrike on Friday while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at their headquarters in Dahiyeh, south of Beirut.

Nasrallah, who is linked by Israel to numerous deadly attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets, has been on Israel’s kill list for decades. His assassination is by far the most consequential of Israel’s targeted killings in years, and significantly escalates the war in the Middle East. Hezbollah is backed by Iran, Israel’s chief regional rival.

Commenting on his killing, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would help bring back the displaced Israelis to the north and pressure Hamas to free Israeli hostages in Gaza. But with the threat of retaliation high, he warned the coming days would bring “significant challenges” and warned Iran against trying to strike, as per AP.