In July, Hashem Safieddine, a senior figure in Hezbollah, was seen attending the funeral of the organization’s high-ranking commander Nasrallah in southern Beirut. Recently, an Israeli government spokesperson expressed uncertainty regarding Safieddine’s status, who is widely speculated to be Nasrallah’s potential successor. Three sources in Lebanon have informed Reuters that since the Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on October 4, they have lost contact with Safieddine.
When David Mencer, the spokesperson for the Israeli government, was asked about the possibility of confirming Safieddine’s death during an online briefing, he stated, “We still cannot confirm this matter. Once we have verified information, we will publish it on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) website.”
The October 4 airstrike is believed to have specifically targeted Safieddine. A cousin of the deceased Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, Safieddine plays a vital role in the party’s political and social operations. The Jerusalem Post previously quoted a Lebanese security source who indicated that the odds of anyone surviving that targeted strike were “close to zero.”
