Hezbollah appoints Naim Kassem as new leader after Nasrallah

The Lebanese militant organisation Hezbollah has appointed cleric Naim Kassem as its new leader following the death of Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Beirut suburb in late September. In a statement, Hezbollah confirmed the election of the 71-year-old Kassem by the group’s Shura Council as the new secretary-general. They pledged to uphold Nasrallah’s strategies “until victory is achieved.”

Kassem, identifiable by his white turban and grey beard, has become a prominent figure in Hezbollah after the Israeli offensive that eliminated several of the group’s senior leaders. Although a founding member, supporters view him as lacking Nasrallah’s charismatic speaking abilities.

Following the announcement, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant expressed on X that Kassem’s leadership is “temporary” and implied a threat of future Israeli actions against him akin to previous operations targeting Hezbollah’s leadership.

Hezbollah has chosen Naim Kassem as its new leader.@AliBunkallSKY reports from Jerusalem.

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In a recent televised address, Kassem, who holds the clerical title of sheikh, asserted that Hezbollah’s military strength remains undiminished despite Nasrallah’s assassination. He warned that continued conflict would only exacerbate Israeli suffering.