Hezbollah has announced Naim Qassem as its new leader following the death of long-serving chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Beirut last month.
Qassem, who served as Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general for over three decades, steps into leadership during heightened conflict across Lebanon.
According to an official statement, the decision to appoint Qassem was made by Hezbollah’s Shura Council in line with the group’s procedures.
Known as one of Hezbollah’s founding figures, Qassem has previously been a prominent face in the organization.
Born in Beirut in 1953 to a family from southern Lebanon, he is now one of the few remaining senior members of the group, with recent Israeli strikes reportedly killing much of Hezbollah’s senior leadership.
Since Nasrallah’s death, Qassem has made three televised addresses, including a recent call for a ceasefire as a means of enabling Israeli residents to return to the north.
Hezbollah lauded Qassem’s leadership, saying he would “bear the blessed banner” following Nasrallah’s death.
Qassem’s promotion follows the unexpected death of cleric Hashem Safieddine, previously thought to be Nasrallah’s likely successor, in an Israeli strike earlier in October.
In response to Qassem’s appointment, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described it on social media as “temporary” and “not for long.”
Israel’s ongoing strikes across Lebanon have targeted Hezbollah’s infrastructure, operatives, and weapon caches amid increased conflict in the region.
On Monday, the Israeli military conducted air strikes in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah stronghold, resulting in at least 60 fatalities and over 50 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israel has yet to comment on the incident.
The strikes are part of Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah following a year of escalating cross-border clashes fueled by the Gaza war.
Israeli forces stated their goal is to secure safe conditions for residents displaced by Hezbollah’s rocket, missile, and drone attacks along the northern border.
The situation remains tense as both nations brace for further developments in the conflict.
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