Israeli forces have killed another high-ranking Hezbollah commander in an airstrike on Beirut, marking the latest blow to the militant group’s leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israel had successfully assassinated Hashem Safieddine, the projected successor to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu further claimed that Israel eliminated Safieddine’s replacement, though he did not disclose the identity.
Huge hole that was created after Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Hashem Safieddine, potential successor to the late leader Hassan Nasrallah, on October 4. pic.twitter.com/vMw4AAlwR7
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 5, 2024
Since last month, Israel has intensified its campaign against Hezbollah, targeting its command structure and claiming significant successes. The Israeli military stated that the recent death of senior commander Husseini dealt another major setback to Hezbollah.
In a video message to the Lebanese public, Netanyahu emphasized that Hezbollah’s military capabilities have been degraded following the death of its senior commanders and urged citizens to reclaim their country from Hezbollah’s control.
“We took out thousands of terrorists, including [longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah himself, and Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of his replacement,” Netanyahu said. “Today, Hezbollah is weaker than it has been for many many years.”
In response, Hezbollah’s acting leader Sheikh Naim Kassem said that the group’s military strength remains intact and that all senior commanders have already been replaced.
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