Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah announced on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, that it has elected Naim Qassem, its former deputy leader, as the new secretary general. Qassem, 71, takes over following the death of long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb over a month ago.
In a written statement, Hezbollah’s Shura Council shared that Qassem’s election followed the group's established selection process for leadership. The decision comes amidst rising tensions in the region, marking a pivotal change for the group.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had announced on September 28 that Nasrallah was killed in a targeted airstrike, which occurred a day after multiple attacks on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut’s southern suburb of Harek Hreik on September 27. Six buildings were destroyed in the operation, resulting in several casualties and marking the most intense conflict-related strike between Israel and Hezbollah in nearly a year.
Hassan Nasrallah had been the face of Hezbollah for over thirty years, shaping its position and influence throughout the Middle East. With Qassem’s leadership, observers are closely watching for any shifts in Hezbollah's strategy as regional tensions continue.
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