Israel confirms the killing of Hezbollah successor Hashem Safieddine in airstrikes in Beirut

Israel has confirmed the killing of Hashem Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah leader and suspected successor to Hassan Nasrallah, in an airstrike on southern Beirut in early October.

Safieddine was the head of Hezbollah’s executive council and a key figure in politics.

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday evening that airstrikes in the Dahiyeh suburb three weeks earlier had killed Safieddine and Ali Hussein Hazima, the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence service. The airstrike also killed 25 other leaders.

This blow to Hezbollah’s leadership comes amid escalating fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, with continued airstrikes and clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Hezbollah has not yet commented on Safieddine’s death.

Following Safieddine’s death, Naim Qassem, deputy secretary general of Hezbollah, is now the only remaining member of the group’s public leadership. Qassem has represented Hezbollah since Nasrallah’s assassination, but lacks the widespread popularity the former secretary general had among supporters.

More to come.