Projected new Hezbollah chief Safieddine likely killed, says Defense Minister Gallant

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

The head of Hezbollah's Executive Council Hashem Safieddine attends a ceremony of the Iran-backed terror group in Beirut's southern suburbs on May 24, 2024. (Anwar Amro/AFP)
The head of Hezbollah's Executive Council Hashem Safieddine attends a ceremony of the Iran-backed terror group in Beirut's southern suburbs on May 24, 2024. (Anwar Amro/AFP)

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who was in line to replace the terror group’s assassinated leader Hassan Nasrallah, was likely killed in last week’s strike in Beirut.

“Hezbollah is an organization without a leader, Nasrallah was eliminated, his replacement was probably also eliminated. This has a dramatic effect on everything that happens. There is no one to make decisions, no one to act,” Gallant says during a visit to the IDF Northern Command, adding that Hezbollah’s firepower capabilities have also taken a heavy blow.

“The actions we are taking are being observed all over the Middle East. When the smoke in Lebanon clears, they will realize in Iran that they have lost their most valuable asset, which is Hezbollah,” he adds.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (right) speaks with IDF Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, at the command’s HQ in Safed, October 8, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

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