Hezbollah stares at leadership vacuum after Hassan Nasrallah’s death: Who are the likely successors?

Nasrallah was chosen as the Secretary-General of Hezbollah in 1992, after his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi was killed in an Israeli helicopter strike. For over three decades, Nasrallah was the face of Hezbollah, transforming it from a local militia into a political and military force in the region.

With his death, the question now remains: who will step into the shoes of a revered and reviled leader? We take a look.

Hashem Safieddine

With Hezbollah’s operations chief Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Fuad Shukr, both killed by the Israeli military, Nasrallah’s close associate, Hashem Safieddine is widely regarded as his most likely successor.

The former chief’s cousin, Safieddine oversees Hezbollah’s political affairs and has been involved in key decision-making processes within the organisation. His leadership style is expected to reflect Nasrallah’s strategic approach.

Born in 1964 in Deir Qanun al-Nahr, southern Lebanon, Safieddine was called back from Iran in 1990s to be groomed as Nasrallah’s successor. Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Safieddine managed Hezbollah’s civilian operations, including group’s education system and finances.

In 2017, the US State Department designated Safieddine a terrorist and the same year he was blacklisted by Saudi Arabia for supporting Hezbollah activities.

With his brother serving as Hezbollah’s representative to Iran and his son married to top Iranian general’s daughter, Safieddine holds powerful connections and hails from an influential Shia family that has produced many Lebanese parliamentarians and religious leaders, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Born in the Nabatieh governorate’s Kfar Kila, a southern Lebanese village, Qassem is considered Hezbollah’s foundational religious scholars, reported Al Jazeera. (Reuters)

Naim Qassem

The second-in-command within Hezbollah, deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem is also among the few remaining in the group’s top leadership.

Born in the Nabatieh governorate’s Kfar Kila, a southern Lebanese village, Qassem is considered Hezbollah’s foundational religious scholars, reported Al Jazeera. Initially joining the Amal Movement, a Shia group in Lebanon, Qassem holds a long history in Shia political activism.

Qassem was elected deputy secretary-general in 1991 under the then-Secretary-General Abbas al-Musawi. A member of group’s Shura Council, Qassem is also the author to ‘Hezbollah, the Story from Within’.

AlJazeera notes that the secretive nature of Hezbollah means not all his roles in the organisation are public knowledge, however, Qassem oversaw part of Hezbollah’s educational network and has also been involved in overseeing the group’s parliamentary activities.

Nabil Kaouk, a member of Hezbollah’s executive council. (National News Agency – Lebanon)

Nabil Kaouk

Another potential successor is Nabil Kaouk, a member of Hezbollah’s executive council and a former deputy head of Hezbollah’s executive council, reported AP.

Known for his loyalty to the organisation and its objectives, Kaouk has played a pivotal role in military operations against Israel.