Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance movement, has named Sheikh Naim Qassem as its new leader following the death of its former chief, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on September 27. Qassem, 71, previously served as Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general and has been a prominent figure within the organisation since its founding in the early 1980s, reports Al Jazeera.
The announcement was made after Hezbollah’s Shura Council elected Qassem in line with its protocol for appointing a new secretary general. In a statement, the group expressed confidence in Qassem’s commitment to Hezbollah’s mission and goals, asking for “God Almighty to guide him in this noble mission in leading Hezbollah and its Islamic resistance.”
Nasrallah’s death has left a significant void in Hezbollah’s leadership, as he was widely seen as the face of the Lebanese resistance movement both domestically and across the region. Qassem’s appointment signals continuity for the organisation, which has recently suffered multiple high-profile losses among its senior ranks due to Israeli strikes.
Qassem, often regarded as Hezbollah’s “number two,” is a respected scholar within the group and has long played a central role in its operations. His leadership is expected to uphold the organisation’s foundational principles while navigating the challenges posed by heightened Israeli efforts to target Hezbollah leaders.
This leadership change comes amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, with the latter recently intensifying strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
