Hashem Safieddine, a prominent Shi’ite cleric and senior Hezbollah figure, is emerging as the likely successor to the assassinated leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Safieddine was reportedly targeted by Israeli airstrikes in the Lebanese capital on October 3, though it remains unclear whether he survived the attack. The assassination of Nasrallah on September 27 marked one of the most significant blows to the Shi’ite militant organization in its 42-year history.
Safieddine’s Rise in Hezbollah
Safieddine, who hails from southern Lebanon, has long been a key player in Hezbollah’s internal politics. He is a cousin of Nasrallah and has been widely tipped as his successor due to his strong connections within the organization. Safieddine joined Hezbollah in the 1980s, soon after its inception, and steadily rose through the ranks. He now heads Hezbollah’s Executive Council, overseeing its political operations, and holds a seat on the powerful Shura and Jihad councils.
The 59-year-old cleric is also deeply connected to Hezbollah’s chief backer, Iran. He studied in Qom, Iran’s religious epicenter, and his brother serves as Hezbollah’s liaison to the Iranian government. Safieddine’s son is married to the daughter of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.
A Successor with Challenges
While Safieddine is the likely successor, his leadership will face numerous challenges. Experts believe that although he has the organizational backing and ties to Iran, Safieddine lacks the charisma of his cousin. Hezbollah, which once dominated southern Lebanon, has recently been severely weakened by Israeli strikes, leadership losses, and a reduction in military strength. Safieddine’s ability to unify the organization amid these setbacks will be critical to Hezbollah’s future survival and relevance in Lebanese politics and the broader Middle East.
Matthew Levitt, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and author of Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God, said, “Safieddine has the pedigree and political clout to lead Hezbollah, but he inherits an organization that is a shadow of its former self. The challenges he faces, from rebuilding its military arsenal to maintaining unity, will be immense.”
Hezbollah’s Key Role in Lebanon and the Region
Under Nasrallah, Hezbollah expanded its influence not only in Lebanon but throughout the Middle East. Backed financially and militarily by Tehran, Nasrallah built Hezbollah into a force that played a pivotal role in regional conflicts, including in Syria and Iraq. However, with Israel’s continued targeted assassinations of key Hezbollah figures and the reduction of its military capabilities, Safieddine will have to navigate the group through a difficult period of reconstruction.
Hezbollah remains designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, which blacklisted Safieddine in 2017. However, the European Union only considers the group’s military wing a terrorist entity. Safieddine, with his black turban denoting his descent from the Prophet Muhammad, represents continuity in Hezbollah’s leadership. Whether he can maintain the group’s power and influence in the face of Israel’s relentless pressure remains to be seen.
Overview
The death of Hassan Nasrallah marks a pivotal moment for Hezbollah. As Hashem Safieddine emerges as the likely successor, the organization must grapple with leadership changes, external threats, and internal fractures. Safieddine’s ties to Iran may provide stability, but his ability to command the same loyalty and reverence as his predecessor will define Hezbollah’s future trajectory.
