Desk News: Following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike, discussions have emerged regarding who will take over the leadership of the armed group. According to news agency Reuters, Hashem Safi Al-Din is being considered as the potential successor.
Nasrallah was killed on Friday in an airstrike conducted by Israel in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
A source within Hezbollah indicated that Hashem Safi Al-Din, who survived the Israeli attack, may be appointed as the new Secretary-General of Hezbollah.
Who is Hashem Safi Al-Din?
Hashem Safi Al-Din is the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, responsible for overseeing the organization’s political operations. He is also involved with the Jihad Council, which handles Hezbollah’s military campaigns.
Safi Al-Din is distantly related to Nasrallah, as they are cousins. He is also recognized as a religious figure and claims to be a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Reuters reports that his close relationship with the Nasrallah family, similar physical appearance, religious status, and claim of being a descendant of the Prophet make him a likely candidate to assume the leadership of Hezbollah.
Safi Al-Din has consistently criticized the United States, which led to him being added to the U.S. terrorist list in 2017. In June of this year, he issued a stern warning to Israel, threatening intense warfare.
Hezbollah’s Origins and Leadership Transition
Hezbollah was established 42 years ago in Lebanon with support from Iran. The group’s former leader was assassinated by Israel in 1992 in a helicopter strike, after which Hassan Nasrallah assumed leadership. However, Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday.
Source: Reuters
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