The world was shaken by the news of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s death on Friday, following a barrage of Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanon. This development comes days after Israel shifted its focus from Gaza to Lebanon in its ongoing operation. The attack has thrust Hashem Safieddine, widely seen as Nasrallah’s heir, into the spotlight. The process of choosing a new leader for Hezbollah will be immensely complex, particularly following a series of Israeli strikes that have claimed the lives of top commanders, raising questions about the group’s internal security. Any new leader will face the daunting task of gaining acceptance not only within Hezbollah but also within Lebanon and its primary backer, Iran.
Since the attack, Hezbollah has remained silent on succession plans and the status of its top leadership. However, according to Reuters, citing sources within Hezbollah, Safieddine is believed to have survived the Israeli strikes. Who is Hashem Safieddine? He is a cousin of Nasrallah and bears a striking resemblance to the deceased leader. Safieddine is a cleric, wearing the black turban signifying his descent from Prophet Mohammed – a distinction that will likely weigh heavily in his favor amid the current turmoil. He currently leads the executive council of Hezbollah, overseeing its political affairs, and serves on the ‘Jihad Council,’ which manages the group’s military operations.
Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iran-backed Shi’ite militias, sheds light on Safieddine’s rise within Hezbollah: “Nasrallah started tailoring positions for him within a variety of different councils within Lebanese Hezbollah. Some of them were more opaque than others. They’ve had him come, go out and speak.”
Hezbollah, formed in the early 1980s by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, has become a major social, religious, and political force for Lebanese Shi’ite Muslims. Nasrallah ascended to leadership in 1992, following the death of his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi, in an Israeli air strike. Over the past three decades, he has become a legendary figure in Lebanon. The future of Hezbollah, however, remains uncertain in the wake of Nasrallah’s death, and the group’s path forward will be heavily influenced by the selection of its next leader.
