Hezbollah appoints Hashem Safieddine as new leader after Nasrallah's killing
- In Reports
- 01:30 PM, Sep 30, 2024
- Myind Staff
Iran International English reports that the executive council of Hezbollah has designated Hashem Safieddine as the group's new leader in the wake of the alleged assassination of Hassan Nasrallah. The cousin of Nasrallah, Safieddine, has been instrumental in managing the political affairs of the organisation and is now taking on a challenging role. Hezbollah, which Nasrallah oversaw for more than thirty years, has undergone a significant sea change since his passing. The news of the killing shocked the group and the Arab world at large, causing his opponents and supporters to rejoice and lament in turn.
At a time of increased tensions in the region, the loss is viewed as a serious setback to Hezbollah's leadership and could cause operational disruptions. While Hezbollah is still a potent militant organisation, analysts contend that Nasrallah's death exposes weaknesses that may cause its allies—including a number of Middle Eastern factions backed by Iran—to lose faith in the organisation.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken calculated steps to fortify his administration in the wake of Nasrallah's murder. Gideon Saar was put in charge of military operations against Israel's enemies, including Hezbollah, when he was appointed to the Cabinet and placed in the Security Cabinet. The 57-year-old Saar had hoped to take over for Netanyahu's rival, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. However, after fighting with Hezbollah escalated along Israel's northern border, an agreement to become minister of defence fell through a few weeks ago, keeping the well-liked Gallant in his position for the time being.
The prime minister and Saar have not had a good relationship. Formerly a rising star in Netanyahu's Likud party, he stormily quit the party four years ago, accusing the prime minister of transforming it into a "cult of personality" while he fought allegations of corruption. However, Saar has had difficulty since then leading a small conservative party and has received little public support. He shares a hardline ideology with Netanyahu regarding Israel's Arab adversaries, despite their lack of affection for one another.
Saar has stated in recent months that Israel needs to fight until Hamas is eliminated. He has also demanded stronger measures against Iran, the organisation that sponsors Hezbollah. Additionally, he shares Netanyahu's vehement opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state.
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