On October 23, 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that in an airstrike in Beirut three weeks ago, the IDF destroyed Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s executive committee and the upcoming leader of Hezbollah, along with Ali Hussein Hazima, the commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Safieddine was a member of Hezbollah’s highest military political forum, the Shura Council, responsible for formulating the organization’s decision-making and policies.
Safieddine is the cousin of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and he wielded significant influence over the organization’s internal decisions. In Nasrallah’s absence from Lebanon, Safieddine served as Hezbollah’s secretary-general. Over the years, Safieddine has commanded terrorist attacks against Israel and has been involved in Hezbollah’s central decision-making processes.
In addition to Safieddine, the commander of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, terrorist Hazima, was also eliminated. He was responsible for directing multiple attacks against IDF soldiers.
Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, stated, “We have already made contact with Nasrallah, his successor, and most of Hezbollah’s top leadership. We will know how to deal with anyone who poses a threat to the safety of Israeli citizens.”