Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group, has lost contact with its senior leader Hashem Safieddine since an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood. Safieddine, who was seen as a possible successor to slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, was reportedly inside Hezbollah’s underground intelligence headquarters during the attack. Lebanese and Hezbollah officials are urgently trying to retrieve bodies from the strike, with concerns rising over the issue of succession within the organization if Safieddine is confirmed dead.
The lack of contact with Safieddine also raises questions about an intelligence breach within Hezbollah, allowing Israel to target leaders one after another. Nader Hashemi, an associate professor, sees this as a significant setback for the group. Israel has been intensifying its bombing campaign in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions to secure the safe return of its nationals to northern Israel.
Last week, Israel launched a limited ground operation into southern Lebanon, resulting in clashes with Hezbollah fighters, with nine Israeli soldiers reported killed. More than 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon during Israel’s bombardment, forcing 1.2 million people to flee their homes. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in military actions in the region.
Hezbollah has not officially confirmed Safieddine’s status since the attack, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the future leadership of the organization. The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and the impact it is having on the people of Lebanon.
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