Hassan Nasrallah Profile: Man Behind Militant Group Hezbollah & Who Might Become His Successor

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has died in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. He led Hezbollah for over three decades, transforming it into a prominent militant group in the Middle East.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, 64, died in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday, as confirmed by the Lebanese militant group. Nasrallah led the Hezbollah for over three decades, transforming it into one of the most formidable paramilitary forces in the Middle East. Under his leadership, Hezbollah engaged in numerous conflicts with Israel and played a critical role in supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's civil war.

Iran's Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khamenei mourned the Hezbollah leader's death stating, "The great Mujahid, the standard-bearer of Resistance in the region, a virtuous scholar of religion &  a wise political leader - Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah (may God be pleased with him) - achieved martyrdom in last night's tragic events in Lebanon & has ascended to the the heavens."

Who Was Hassan Nasrallah?

Nasrallah, considered both a revered figure by many across the Arab and Islamic world and an extremist by the West, holds the title of "sayyid," an honorific denoting his lineage from the Prophet Muhammad, news agency AP reported. He reshaped Hezbollah, forging close alliances with Iranian Shiite leaders and Palestinian militant groups like Hamas, and became a prominent adversary of Israel. Despite his powerful position, Nasrallah largely lived in hiding to avoid Israeli assassination attempts.

Born in 1960 into a poor Shiite family in Beirut's suburb of Sharshabouk, Nasrallah joined Hezbollah in 1982 after its formation by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. He became the group's leader in 1992 following the assassination of Sayyed Abbas Musawi, AP's report stated. Nasrallah gained further prominence in 2000 when Hezbollah's guerrilla tactics led to Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, following an 18-year occupation.

Nasrallah's role in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel was critical. Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli military posts along the border, calling it a "backup front" for Gaza. He remained defiant, insisting that Hezbollah will continue its operations until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached.

As tensions rise, Israel ramped up its military operations, with strikes that have killed key Hezbollah commanders and destroyed thousands of communications devices used by the group.

Who Will Be Nasrallah's Successor?

Following Nasrallah's death, speculation is growing about Nasrallah's successor. Hashem Safieddine, who oversees Hezbollah's political affairs and serves on the group's Jihad Council, is widely regarded as the next in line, according to sources cited by Times of Isreal. Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah, shares a similar clerical lineage as a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad and holds considerable influence within Hezbollah.

He has been vocal in his support for escalating the conflict with Israel, stating after a Hezbollah commander's death, "Let the enemy prepare himself to cry and wail", as quoted by Times of Isreal.

Safieddine's family ties, resemblance to Nasrallah, and religious status make him a likely candidate to succeed the long-standing Hezbollah leader.