Israel has confirmed the elimination of Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and a key figure in the group’s leadership, in a targeted airstrike on Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut three weeks ago. Israeli military officials stated on Tuesday that Safieddine, along with Ali Hussein Hazima, Hezbollah’s Intelligence Directorate head, was killed in the operation, which also claimed the lives of other senior commanders.
The Israeli Air Force conducted the strike based on precise intelligence, targeting Hezbollah’s main intelligence headquarters in the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut, which serves as the group’s stronghold. The army reported that 25 Hezbollah militants were present at the time of the attack, including Bilal Saib Aish, who was responsible for Hezbollah’s aerial intelligence operations.
The strike comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel’s northern adversary. The Israeli government has intensified its military operations against Hezbollah as part of a broader campaign to secure its northern border, which has faced cross-border fire from Hezbollah amidst an ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Since late September, Israel has expanded its airstrikes across Hezbollah-held areas in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had alluded to Safieddine’s death earlier in the month but stopped short of specifically naming him. In an address to Lebanon, Netanyahu stated that Israel’s forces had “taken out thousands of terrorists, including (Hezbollah leader Hassan) Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah’s replacement and the replacement of his replacement.”
Israeli Army Chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi echoed this sentiment on Tuesday, confirming that Israel had reached Hezbollah’s senior leadership. “We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement, and most of Hezbollah’s senior leadership,” Halevi said in a statement.
Safieddine, a close relative of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and considered his likely successor, had strong ties with Iran and was viewed as a significant figure within the group. His death represents a major blow to Hezbollah’s leadership at a time of increasing hostilities with Israel. Hezbollah has not yet issued a statement regarding Safieddine’s death.
The strike and subsequent escalations have claimed the lives of over 1,500 people in Lebanon since September, according to Lebanese health ministry figures. Israel has urged civilians in southern Beirut to evacuate, warning of more imminent strikes as tensions between the two sides continue to mount.
