Israel's army confirmed on Tuesday that it eliminated Hezbollah's Hashem Safieddine, a key figure and likely successor to the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, in an airstrike three weeks ago in a southern Beirut suburb. Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, was killed alongside Ali Hussein Hazima, the head of Hezbollah's Intelligence Directorate, and other commanders in the strike.

The attack targeted Hezbollah's main intelligence headquarters in Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. Over 25 militants were reportedly present, including Bilal Saib Aish, Hezbollah's chief of aerial intelligence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at the operation in an October 8 speech, claiming Israel had "taken out" key Hezbollah leaders, without naming Safieddine specifically. On Tuesday, Israel's army chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, confirmed the deaths, stating, "We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement, and most of Hezbollah's senior leadership."

Hezbollah has not yet issued an official statement in response to the claims. Safieddine, a distant relative of Nasrallah and deeply religious cleric, had strong ties with Hezbollah’s backer, Iran, and was widely considered Nasrallah's likely successor. The grey-bearded, bespectacled Safieddine had been out of contact since the Israeli airstrikes weeks ago.

The strike marks a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership, following escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in recent months. Israel's operations have intensified since Hezbollah launched attacks in solidarity with Hamas after the October 7 conflict, with both sides exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border. The death of Safieddine signals a major shift in Hezbollah’s command structure as Israel continues to target key leaders in the ongoing conflict.

As of now, Hezbollah has yet to officially confirm Safieddine’s death.

Israel's army confirmed on Tuesday that it eliminated Hezbollah's Hashem Safieddine, a key figure and likely successor to the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, in an airstrike three weeks ago in a southern Beirut suburb. Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, was killed alongside Ali Hussein Hazima, the head of Hezbollah's Intelligence Directorate, and other commanders in the strike.

The attack targeted Hezbollah's main intelligence headquarters in Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. Over 25 militants were reportedly present, including Bilal Saib Aish, Hezbollah's chief of aerial intelligence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at the operation in an October 8 speech, claiming Israel had "taken out" key Hezbollah leaders, without naming Safieddine specifically. On Tuesday, Israel's army chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, confirmed the deaths, stating, "We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement, and most of Hezbollah's senior leadership."

Hezbollah has not yet issued an official statement in response to the claims. Safieddine, a distant relative of Nasrallah and deeply religious cleric, had strong ties with Hezbollah’s backer, Iran, and was widely considered Nasrallah's likely successor. The grey-bearded, bespectacled Safieddine had been out of contact since the Israeli airstrikes weeks ago.

The strike marks a significant blow to Hezbollah’s leadership, following escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in recent months. Israel's operations have intensified since Hezbollah launched attacks in solidarity with Hamas after the October 7 conflict, with both sides exchanging fire across the Israel-Lebanon border. The death of Safieddine signals a major shift in Hezbollah’s command structure as Israel continues to target key leaders in the ongoing conflict.

As of now, Hezbollah has yet to officially confirm Safieddine’s death.