Israeli Military Claims to Have Killed Top Hezbollah Leader Hashem Safieddine

The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it killed Hashem Safieddine, a high-ranking leader in Hezbollah and a cousin of the group’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The strike reportedly occurred weeks ago near Beirut, Lebanon, and was part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah’s leadership.

Speculation about Safieddine’s fate had intensified since early October when Israeli airstrikes targeted a meeting of senior Hezbollah officials in the Dahiya area, a known stronghold of the group. This bombardment followed the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, marking one of the most significant Israeli assaults in the region in recent times.

The Israeli military stated that Safieddine had played a crucial role in Hezbollah’s operations and was presiding over the organization during Nasrallah’s absences. In its statement, the military claimed, “Throughout the years, Safieddine directed terrorist attacks against the state of Israel and took part in Hezbollah’s central decision-making processes.” It was noted that over 25 Hezbollah operatives were present at the meeting when the airstrike took place.

Although the Israeli military did not provide concrete evidence of Safieddine’s death at the time, Hezbollah remained largely silent until Wednesday, when it confirmed his passing. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of the Israeli military, asserted, “We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement and most of Hezbollah’s senior leadership.”

The loss of Safieddine is seen as another significant blow to Hezbollah, which is currently grappling with a leadership vacuum due to the ongoing Israeli operations targeting its key figures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hinted at Safieddine’s death earlier this month but did not explicitly name him.

Born in southern Lebanon in the early 1960s, Safieddine was one of Hezbollah’s founding members, joining the group shortly after its inception with Iranian support in the 1980s. He had a multifaceted role within Hezbollah, serving as a military leader, political figure, and spiritual advisor. His ties to Iran were significant, having studied in Qom and maintaining close relationships with key Iranian military leaders, including the late Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani.

In May 2017, the United States and Saudi Arabia designated Safieddine as a terrorist for his leadership within Hezbollah, emphasizing his influence on the group’s political and organizational activities. His death further complicates Hezbollah’s position and raises questions about the group’s future in the region.