Hezbollah confirms death of senior leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Nabil Qaouq; Hashim Safieddine succeeds Nasrallah

BEIRUT — The pro-Iranian Hezbollah confirmed the death of its former Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in Israeli airstrikes.

The strikes that killed Nasrallah targeted a densely populated area. Israel also killed at least 33 people and injured 195, according to Lebanese Health Ministry.

“Our preference is not to have a ground incursion,” an Israeli official stated.

The Hezbollah also confirmed the death of its Central Council Member Nabil Qaouq, following a similar announcement by the Israeli Army.

Qaouq, who was one of the major figures to succeed Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli raid in Shiah area, in the southern suburb of Beirut.

Qaouq had survived an assassination attempt in the war in July, 2006.

He survived an Israeli bombing that targeted his home in southern Lebanon, and he was then occupying the position of Hezbollah Official of Southern Region.

After the announcement of Qaouq death, the Hezbollah Shura Council announced selecting Hashim Safieddine as Hezbollah Secretary General.

Safieddine has served as Chairman of the Hezbollah Executive Council. He is Nasrallah maternal cousin and son-in-law of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani.

Safieddine was born in 1964, in Deir Qanun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon. He was one of the Hezbollah founders in 1982.

Although he was chosen by the Shura Council, he was not officially appointed.

After Nasrallah death, Naim Qasem, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General stated that Hezbollah would choose a successor and there many ready alternatives.