bne IntelliNews – Israel confirms Hezbollah killing of Hisham Safieddine

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of Hisham Safieddine, chairman of Hezbollah's Executive Council and cousin of former leader Hassan Nasrallah, in a precision strike carried out about three weeks ago in Beirut's Dahieh district, a known Hezbollah stronghold.

Safieddine was elected as Hezbollah's new chief by the group's “Shura Council” to succeed Nasrallah. Ali Hussein Hazima, commander of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, was eliminated in the same attack. The operation targeted an underground intelligence facility deliberately positioned beneath civilian infrastructure, the IDF announced.

The attack resulted in the elimination of over 25 Hezbollah operatives, including Bilal Saib Aish, who led aerial reconnaissance operations in Syria. Safieddine had previously served as acting secretary-general during Nasrallah's absence in Lebanon.

On the morning of October 23, military operations in Lebanon continued. “Anyone who is near Hezbollah people, their facilities and their means of war is putting their life in danger,” an IDF spokesman announced in Arabic to residents of the Tzur area, calling for an immediate evacuation north of the Havli River .

The IDF expanded its operations to Hezbollah Unit 127, focusing on UAV warehouses and personnel. The unit was found to be responsible for developing and launching explosive and surveillance drones on Israeli territory.

Confirmation of Safieddine's death justifies Hezbollah's deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem's decision to flee Lebanon and settle in Tehran, where he has reportedly been staying since early October.

An anonymous Iranian source told Erem News that Qassem left Beirut on October 5 on an Iranian flight with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and stopped in Damascus before flying to Tehran.

The move was reportedly ordered by senior Iranian officials because Qassem was on an Israeli wanted list, the source said, and comes as Iran seeks to strengthen its so-called “Axis of Resistance” against Israel following several deaths, including the top one Leadership from rebuilding Hezbollah and Hamas.

Beirut has become increasingly unsafe in recent months due to Israel's ongoing assault on the city. IntelliNews A correspondent confirmed that several areas of the city and throughout Lebanon were repeatedly attacked.

Qassem has made three public appearances since the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27.

While his first speech was delivered in Beirut on September 30, the following two were delivered in Iran on October 8 and 15, according to the source.