Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese Shia militant group, has announced that its deputy secretary general, Naim Qassem, will become its new leader. Qassem replaces long-term leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut last month.
The announcement comes as the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon has intensified in recent weeks, with Israel carrying out numerous air strikes targeting Hezbollah operatives, infrastructure, and weapons across the country.
Qassem, who has been with Hezbollah for more than 30 years and is one of the group’s most recognized faces, was elected by the Shura Council in accordance with the group’s rules. His current whereabouts are unclear, with some reports suggesting he has fled to Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter.
In a statement announcing Qassem’s promotion, Hezbollah described him as “bearing the blessed banner in this march” and honored the late Nasrallah and others killed in the conflict.
Qassem’s appointment comes as a surprise, as many expected the leadership to be passed to cleric Hashem Safieddine. However, on October 22, it was revealed that Safieddine had been killed in an Israeli air strike nearly three weeks prior, further diminishing Hezbollah’s senior leadership.
The escalation in conflict between Hezbollah and Israel was sparked by almost a year of cross-border hostilities following the war in Gaza. Israel has gone on the offensive against Hezbollah, saying it wants to ensure the safe return of residents of border areas displaced by Hezbollah rocket, missile, and drone attacks.
On Monday night, the Israeli military carried out air strikes in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, an area where Hezbollah has a strong presence. The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 60 people were killed and more than 50 wounded in the attack, which the Israeli military has yet to comment on.
Over the past year, the conflict has taken a heavy toll on Lebanon, with more than 2,700 people killed and nearly 12,500 injured, according to the country’s health ministry. Hezbollah has attacked Israel with thousands of rockets and drones during the same period, resulting in the deaths of at least 59 people in northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights.
bbc.com
