The Israeli Défense Forces (IDF) have escalated their military operations against Hezbollah, targeting senior leaders and striking numerous military targets as part of an intensified effort in recent days. One significant target was Hashem Safieddine, widely considered the likely successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Safieddine, a maternal cousin of Nasrallah, has long been a critic of U.S. policies and was once designated as a foreign terrorist by the U.S. in 2017. It remains unclear whether he was killed in the recent strikes.
Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah, is widely regarded as the next in line to lead Hezbollah. Both men, known for their staunch opposition to Israel and Western influence, studied together in Iran during the early 1980s. Safieddine currently heads Hezbollah’s executive council and has been a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, particularly for its support of Israel. The U.S. designated him a foreign terrorist in 2017.
The overnight strikes targeted Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut’s southern suburbs, with over ten consecutive airstrikes rocking the area late Thursday. The massive explosions sent smoke and flames into the sky, shaking buildings miles away in the Lebanese capital. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency confirmed the series of airstrikes but provided no immediate details on casualties.
In a separate operation, Israel also bombed a key crossing along the Lebanon-Syria border, further escalating tensions in the region. The IDF did not immediately specify the targets of these attacks but confirmed the airstrikes were part of a broader military campaign against Hezbollah.
According to the IDF, over the last four days, Israeli forces have successfully eliminated more than 2,000 military targets and killed 250 Hezbollah fighters, including high-ranking commanders. The list of those neutralised includes five battalion commanders, ten company commanders, and six platoon commanders, the Israeli military confirmed.
These strikes represent Israel’s continued efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure amid increasing hostilities. Hezbollah, which Iran backs, has been a formidable adversary of Israel in southern Lebanon and Gaza, with tensions between the two entities stretching back decades.
Hezbollah has yet to officially name a successor to Nasrallah, whose leadership has been central to the organisation.
Safieddine, as the likely heir, has been a key figure in Hezbollah’s leadership structure and its long-standing opposition to Israeli and U.S. policies. In 2021, he accused the U.S. of “interfering” in Lebanese politics and condemned Washington for “sabotaging” the region’s stability, citing the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as examples.
As the situation develops, Israel’s ongoing military operations continue to reshape the dynamics in the region, with the potential for significant implications should Hezbollah’s leadership face further disruption.
