On Tuesday, the Israeli military declared that it had killed Hashem Safieddine, who was seen as a potential successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated in September.
In a statement posted on X, the Israeli Defense Forces reported that Mr. Safieddine, a cousin of Mr. Nasrallah, along with other senior Hezbollah officials, was killed in an attack on the group’s headquarters in Dahieh about three weeks prior.
“Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, and Ali Hussein Hazima, commander of Hezbollah’s Intelligence Headquarters, were eliminated during a strike on the main intelligence HQ in Dahieh approximately three weeks ago,” the statement indicated.
It further noted, “Hashem Safieddine was a member of the Shura Council, Hezbollah’s highest military-political body, responsible for decision-making and policy formulation within the organization.”
Hezbollah has yet to issue a statement confirming or denying the Israeli military’s claim.
Mr. Safieddine’s death marks the latest chapter in ongoing conflict, following the assassination of Hezbollah’s former leader by Israeli forces on September 27, amidst continuing tensions between Israel and Palestine.
Additionally, Israeli forces killed Yahya Sinwar last week, just under two months after he took office as Hamas leader, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran in August.
