Hezbollah’s Leadership in Flux: Will Hashem Safieddine Rise to Power?
The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel on Saturday marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing Gaza conflict. At 64, Nasrallah, a designated terrorist by the United States, leaves behind a leadership vacuum within the organization. Analysts suggest that his death reveals Hezbollah’s vulnerabilities against its primary adversary, Israel.
“This will undermine the confidence of Hezbollah’s Iran-backed allies across the Arab world, from the Houthis in Yemen to the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, potentially reshaping Iran’s influence in the region,” notes Lina Khatib, an associate fellow at Chatham House.
As Hezbollah weighs its next steps, the group finds itself without a leader of Nasrallah’s stature to unify its ranks. The most prominent candidate for succession is Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin and head of the group’s political affairs. However, Hezbollah’s statement following Nasrallah’s death did not indicate whether Safieddine survived the attack or address succession plans.
(With inputs from agency)
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