The Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday that it had also killed Hashem Saffieddine, Nasrallah’s successor as Hezbollah chief, in a targeted strike. Israeli Defense Forces said an attack in a southern Beirut suburb three weeks ago also killed Hezbollah commander Hashem Saffieddine, who succeeded Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Saffieddin was considered close to Nasrallah and was often seen with Nasrallah.
The Israeli military (IDF) said in a statement, “It can now be confirmed that Hashem Saffieddin, head of Hezbollah’s executive council, and Ali Hussein Hazima, head of Hezbollah’s intelligence directorate, along with other Hezbollah commanders, were killed in an attack that took place approximately three weeks ago.” Has been killed with.” Safieddine had not been in contact with Hezbollah since October 4. On the same day, the Israeli army attacked a Hezbollah intelligence base in southern Beirut.
Hezbollah maintained silence
However, no statement has been issued by Hezbollah in this regard. Saffieddin’s death has neither been confirmed nor denied. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said on October 8 that the army had killed Saffieddin. However, he did not take his name then and said that Nasrallah’s successor had also been killed. Addressing the Lebanese people, Netanyahu said that Israeli forces had killed “thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah’s successor and his successor.”
Late Tuesday, the military said the Israeli Air Force had carried out a precision, intelligence-based strike on Hezbollah’s main intelligence headquarters in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyah, a Hezbollah stronghold in the Lebanese capital three weeks ago, killing the militants. Happened. The statement said that 25 Hezbollah terrorists were present in the hideout which was destroyed.
Who was Hashem Saffieddin?
Hashem Saffieddin was a relative of slain Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. He was an active and powerful member of Hezbollah’s jury committee. He was also a member of the ruling Shura Council. He had strong relations with Iran. He lived and studied in Qom, which is considered one of the holiest cities. His family ties with Iran were very deep. His son married the daughter of General Qasim Suleimani, former commander of Iran’s Quds Force. Qasim Sulemani was killed in a US drone strike in 2020.
Saffieddin, who holds the title of “Sayyid” because of his turban, was recognized as a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, just as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was. In 2017, both the United States and Saudi Arabia designated him a terrorist due to his prominent role within Hezbollah.
Used to give inflammatory speeches against Israel
In contrast to Nasrallah, who remained in hiding for years, Saffiedine regularly participated in political and religious events. He often made people emotional with his speeches. Especially on the occasions of funerals of Hezbollah fighters killed in the ongoing conflict with Israel, Safieddin used to attract people emotionally with his speeches. His activism had increased rapidly in the last one year. Safieddin addressed the crowd after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This sparked a new wave of violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
