The Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah has announced Naim Qasem as its new leader, to replace Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated by Israel’s forces over a month ago.
Hezbollah’s key decision-making body, the Shura Council, had agreed to make Qasem the new secretary-general, according to an announcement by the group on Telegram.
Qasem was formerly Hezbollah’s deputy chief. Just last week, Hezbollah confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddine, in an Israeli airstrike. Safieddine had been a cousin of Nasrallah who was widely viewed as the long-standing leader’s mostly likely successor before his death.
Hezbollah, has been tagged a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries, and this group has been clashing with Israel since the war in Gaza began. Claiming solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah has remained committed to firing missiles and drones on Israel.
However last month, Israel stepped up its campaign against Hezbollah killing almost all its senior leaders and sending out ground troops into southern Lebanon to attack its positions.