With top Hezbollah leaders, including its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, getting killed in airstrikes, all eyes are on who will succeed him.
This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said killing of the Hezbollah chief was a necessary step toward "changing the balance of power in the region for years to come."
Who will succeed Hassan Nasrallah?
While confirming Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah vowed to continue the holy war against its enemy Israel. Though Iran-backed Shia group finds it difficult to fill Nasrallah's void, the potential successor to his seat is his cousin Hashem Safieddine.
Who is Hashem Safieddine?
Safieddine, who is a key member of Hezbollah Shura Council, is believed to have close links to Iran and its Supreme Leader. He has been heading the group's decision-making panel since 1992. He has also been groomed as Nasrallah's heir since 1994.
Born in 1964 in Lebanon's Tyre, he completed his religious studies along with Nasrallah in Najaf and Qom, two prominent cities in Iran.
Saffieddine's son, Redha, tied knot with Zeynep, the daughter of late Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a 2020 US airstrike. Saffieddine's brother Abdullah is Hezbollah's representative to Iran
The US Treasury Department named Safieddine a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2017, just like Nasrallah was designated in 2012. Saudi Arabia has also designated Safieddine as a terrorist.
