Israel confirms assassination of Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s executive council, Nasrallah’s presumed successor

According to the Israeli military, Hashem Safieddine was killed along with Hussein Ali Hazima, the commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, in an airstrike on October 4.

Tel Aviv: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut earlier this month. Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s executive council, was considered a likely successor to Hassan Nasrallah after his death in September. The times of Israel. The IDF also confirmed that Hashem Safieddine was a cousin of Nasrallah.

According to the Israeli military, Hashem Safieddine was killed along with Hussein Ali Hazima, the commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, in an airstrike on October 4.

The airstrike targeted the underground headquarters of Hezbollah’s intelligence service in Beirut, which the Israeli military said was “in the heart of a civilian population” in the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh.

In a post on main headquarters of Hezbollah’s intelligence service. in Dahieh about 3 weeks ago. Hashem Safieddine was a member of the Shura Council, Hezbollah’s highest military-political forum, responsible for decision-making and policymaking within the terrorist organization.”

“Hashem was the cousin of Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, and had significant influence over decision-making within Hezbollah. During times when Nasrallah was absent from Lebanon, Hashem acted as Secretary General of Hezbollah. Over the years, Safieddine led terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and participated in Hezbollah’s central decision-making processes. In addition to Hashem, terrorist Ali Hussein Hazima, the commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, was also eliminated. He was responsible for leading numerous attacks on IDF soldiers,” the message continued.

🔴 Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, and Ali Hussein Hazima, commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, were eliminated in an attack on Hezbollah’s main intelligence headquarters in Dahieh. 3 weeks ago.

Hashem Safieddine was a member of… pic.twitter.com/Z2wQGsRxvt

– Israeli Defense Forces (@IDF) October 22, 2024

The IDF stated that more than 25 members of Hezbollah’s intelligence wing, including several top commanders, were present at its headquarters during the attack, The Times of Israel reported. Safieddine has not been in contact since the attack, but the IDF has now confirmed his death. According to the report, Hezbollah has not yet issued a statement on his death. In 2017, the US State Department designated Hashem Safieddine as a terrorist.

Earlier on September 28, the IDF confirmed the killing of Hassan Nasrallah during the airstrikes carried out by the Israeli army in Beirut. In a statement, the IDF said: “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world.”

(With ANI inputs)