Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Israel on Tuesday confirmed that it had killed Hashem Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah figure and the likely successor to current Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military stated that Safieddine had been eliminated in a targeted airstrike carried out three weeks ago in the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking the first official confirmation of his death.
This comes after earlier reports in which Israel had indicated the probable elimination of Safieddine, but had not yet confirmed the details. Hezbollah has not issued any immediate response to the Israeli military’s statement.
A Blow to Hezbollah’s Leadership
The killing of Hashem Safieddine is a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership structure. Safieddine, who had been a close relative of Nasrallah and a key figure in Hezbollah’s operations, was seen as the potential heir to lead the Iran-backed militant group. He was part of Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, the body responsible for its military activities, and also played a major role in managing the group’s financial and administrative operations.
Safieddine’s increasing prominence had been noted in the past year, as he often represented Hezbollah at key events, including funerals, due to security concerns that limited Nasrallah’s public appearances.
Ongoing Israeli Offensive
Israel has been intensifying its operations in Lebanon and Gaza, targeting Hezbollah positions and senior commanders. This latest offensive comes in response to a year of escalating border clashes with Hezbollah. The militant group, considered Iran’s most powerful proxy in the Middle East, has been actively supporting Palestinian factions fighting Israel in Gaza.
In recent weeks, Israeli airstrikes have focused on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Hezbollah fighters have been attempting to repel Israeli ground incursions, but Israel’s strikes have resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Hezbollah officials.
Diplomatic Context and US Involvement
The confirmation of Safieddine’s death comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the broader conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a Middle East tour, where he has been pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas and to consider ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Blinken is also involved in efforts to de-escalate the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Monday night, an Israeli airstrike near Beirut’s main state hospital killed 18 people, including four children, and injured 60 others, further complicating the situation.
Israel has shown no signs of relenting in its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, even after the killings of several senior commanders of both Hamas and Hezbollah.
