Hashem Safiuddin is seen as a possible successor to his cousin Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on its headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon.

While Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy head, will temporarily assume leadership, the group’s Shura Council must choose a new secretary general, according to AFP. Safiuddin, a prominent figure with strong ties to his patron Iran, is considered the top contender for the post.

Sources close to Hezbollah said Safiuddin was the “most likely” candidate for leadership, AFP reported.

Lebanese researcher Amal Saad echoed this. He added that Safiuddin has a lot of authority… he is the strongest contender.

Also read- Israeli PM Netanyahu holds 2 maps at UN, showing India as ‘blessing’ and Iran as ‘curse’

Who is Hashim Safiuddin as the possible successor of the head of Hezbollah?

1. Hashim Safiuddin is the cousin of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He is believed to be in his late 50s or early 60s.

2. The US and Saudi Arabia listed Safiuddin as a “terrorist” in 2017 due to his senior leadership role in Hezbollah.

3. Safi al-Din has a deep connection with Iran as he studied in the holy city of Qom. His son is married to the daughter of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the foreign operations wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard who was killed in the 2020 US invasion of Iraq.

Also read- Israel countered Iran by neutralizing Hassan Nasrallah.

4. He bears the title Sayyid, his black turban marking him, like Nasrallah, as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

5. Unlike Nasrallah, who often remained hidden, Safiuddin has openly participated in political and religious events in recent years.

Also read- How Israel carried out ‘New Order’ to ‘kill’ Hezbollah chief in Lebanon: New video emerges

How was Hezbollah formed?

Hezbollah was formed during the Lebanese civil war in 1982 after Israel’s siege of Beirut.

It was created with the support of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and until 2000 joined the “Resistance” force to fight Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon.