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Published 07:07 IST, October 4th 2024

To-Be Hezbollah Chief Hashem Safieddine Killed? Israel Targets Nasrallah's Cousin

In a latest, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have targeted Hashem Safieddine, the likely successor of Nasrallah and also his cousin. Has he been eliminated?

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Hashem Safieddine, Likely Hezbollah Chief
Hashem Safieddine, Likely Hezbollah Chief | Image: AP

Beirut: Days after eliminating the then-Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, Israel has now targeted Hashem Safieddine, who is Nasrallah's cousin and also his likely successor.

Israel Targets Hashen Safieddine, To-Be Hezbollah Chief

Amid the constant attacks and strikes in the Middle East, in a latest, the Israeli military has targeted Hashem Safieddine, who was expected to replace Hassan Nasrallah as chief of Hezbollah.

Hashem Safieddine Killed by Israel?

According to Reuters, the Israeli strikes that targeted Hashem Safieddine were even bigger than strike that targeted Hassan Nasrallah, the former Hezbollah Chief who was eliminated.

Israeli officials tell Axios that Hashem Safieddine was in the deepest of Hezbollah's underground bunkers; however, there is no confirmation about Hashem Safieddine - whether he is alive or has been eliminated. 

Another Hezbollah Terrorist Muhammad Yosef Anisi Killed

Terrorist Muhammad Yosef Anisi killed, he served as a senior in the directorate for the production of munitions of the terrorist organization Hezbollah; fighter jets of the air force targeted and precisely targeted the intelligence division in the Beirut area.

Anisi was one of the leaders of the precision missile production project of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon and was also a unique knowledge center with technological capabilities in the field of munitions production.

Anisi joined the terrorist organization Hezbollah more than 15 years ago and was an expert in mechanical engineering, he devoted his training to strengthening the organization with strategic means of warfare.

Who is Hashem Safieddine, Cousin and Likely Successor of Hassan Nasrallah

A designated terrorist by United States and cousin of deceased Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, Hashem Safieddine is most likely to succeed Nasrallah as the Secretary General of Hezbollah. While the reports suggest his name, the news update is yet to be confirmed by Hezbollah itself.

Hashem Safieddine has been looking after the political affairs of the Lebanese militant group. According to the US Treasury Department, Hashem Safieddine is a ‘key member’ of the Executive Shura Council of Hezbollah and also a ‘senior leader’. It must be noted, that the official announcement by Hezbollah about Nasrallah's death did not mention any name as a successor.

Hashem Safieddine was born in Lebanon in 1964 and has been the head of the organisation's decision-making body since the year 1992. After pursuing religious cities in the Iranian city of Qom, Hashem Safieddine joined Hezbollah and is believed to have strong connections with Ayatollahs and Iran. His son, who headed the operations command of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in an US airstrike in Iraq in 2020.

One of the six clerics, Hashem Safieddine was also the head of the Jihad Council and is one of the three key leaders of Hezbollah.

Updated 12:20 IST, October 4th 2024