IDF Confirms Killing of Hezbollah's Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah's Cousin and Presumed Successor, in October 3rd Airstrike

Oct 22, 2024, 08:17 PM

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have officially confirmed the elimination of Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah's Executive Council and cousin of Hassan Nasrallah, in an airstrike in Beirut earlier this month. Safieddine was considered the likely successor to Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. The strike, conducted on October 3rd, targeted Hezbollah's main intelligence headquarters in the Dahieh suburb of southern Beirut. Also killed in the operation were Ali Hussein Hazima, commander of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, and up to 25 other senior Hezbollah commanders. Safieddine's body was recovered from the rubble along with those of the other officials. The IDF described the operation as a significant blow to Hezbollah's leadership and operational capabilities.