See who Hashem Safieddine is, who should take over Hezbollah

The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Israeli airstrikes on a Beirut suburb has shone a spotlight on the man widely considered his heir, Hashem Safieddine.

The Iran-backed group confirmed that Nasrallah — who led Hezbollah for 32 years — was killed in Friday’s attack (27) and now faces the challenge of choosing a new leader after the heaviest blow it has ever faced in its 42 years of history.

Here are some facts about Safieddine, who a group source claims survived Israeli attacks.

– As head of the Executive Council, Safieddine oversees Hezbollah’s political affairs. He is also part of the Jihad Council, responsible for managing the group’s military operations;

– Safieddine is Nasrallah’s cousin and, like him, is a cleric who wears a black turban, a symbol of descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad;

– The US State Department classified him as a terrorist in 2017. In June, he threatened a major escalation against Israel following the assassination of another Hezbollah commander. “Let (the enemy) prepare to weep and lament,” he declared at the funeral;

– Safieddine’s public statements often reflect Hezbollah’s position and its alignment with the Palestinian cause;

– At a recent event in Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, he declared that “our history, our weapons and our rockets are with you”, in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian fighters;

– Nasrallah “began adapting positions for Safieddine within a variety of different councils of the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Some of them were more opaque than others. They made him come, come out and talk,” said Philip Smyth, an expert who studies Iranian-backed Shiite militias;

– Safieddine’s family ties and physical resemblance to Nasrallah, as well as religious descent from Muhammad, would count in his favor;

– He also vehemently criticized US policy. In response to American pressure on Hezbollah, he declared in 2017 that “this crazy and mentally ill US administration, led by Trump, will not be able to undermine the resistance,” asserting that such actions would only strengthen Hezbollah’s resolve.

The Lebanese group promised, this Saturday (28), to continue the battle against Israel.

Understand the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on areas of Lebanon in recent days. On Monday (23), the country had its deadliest day since the 2006 war, with more than 500 fatalities. According to the Israeli military, the targets are members and military infrastructure of Hezbollah, one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East and supported by Iran.

The offensive reached several points in Lebanon, including the country’s capital, Beirut. Thousands of people sought refuge in shelters and left cities in the south of the country.

Furthermore, a land incursion has not been ruled out.

Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging attacks after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese group is an ally of Hamas, which invaded Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, killing hundreds of people and capturing hostages.

Due to the bombings, thousands of residents of northern Israel, where the border with Lebanon is located, had to be displaced. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised several times to return these citizens to their homes.

On September 17, Israel added the return of these residents as an official war objective.

At least two Brazilian teenagers died in the attacks. Itamaraty condemned the situation and called for an end to hostilities. The Brazilian government is also evaluating a possible rescue mission.

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This content was originally published in See who is Hashem Safieddine, who should take over Hezbollah on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil