New Hezbollah chief: Naim Qassem has been appointed as the new chief of Hezbollah, stepping into the role following the death of former leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on September 27.Hezbollahs number two becomes number oneOn Tuesday, Hezbollahs deputy secretary general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, was officially elected as the new leader of the Iran-backed terrorist organization. Often referred to as Hezbollahs number two, Qassem will now lead the group as it faces escalating tensions with Israel.In a statement made from an undisclosed location on October 8, Qassem articulated the ongoing conflict with Israel, framing it as a test of resilience. He declared that Hezbollah would not be the first to cry amid the hostilities, signaling a strong stance against perceived aggressions.#BREAKINGHezbollah names Naim Qassem as groups new leader pic.twitter.com/MvHqVkfKsr— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) October 29, 2024What is context of the recent attacksQassems comments came shortly after an Israeli attack that was believed to target senior Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine. On October 23, Hezbollah confirmed Safieddines assassination, adding further tension to the already fraught situation.According to a report from the UAE-based Erem News website on October 21, Qassem was evacuated from Beirut on October 5 using an aircraft that belonged to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during an official visit to Lebanon and Syria. This transfer was reportedly initiated by senior Iranian leaders due to concerns over a potential assassination by Israel.Who is Naim QassemHezbollahs official website describes Qassem as one of the groups founding members, having played a significant role since its inception. He is recognized as a prominent ideologue, having worked alongside influential Shia scholars such as Abbas al-Moussaoui and Subhi al-Tufaili, which shaped his standing within the organization.Qassem earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Lebanese University in the 1970s while also studying religious and theological subjects under Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, a key Islamic scholar. By 1974, he had become the head of the Association for Islamic Religious Education, a position he maintained until 1988, and co-founded the Lebanese Union of Muslim Students.In 1991, Qassem was elected as Hezbollahs Deputy Secretary General after the assassination of Abbas al-Moussaoui. He also holds a significant position on Hezbollahs Shura Council, the organizations governing body, where he oversees both governmental and paramilitary operations, highlighting his dual influence within Hezbollah.What are his literary contributionsAt 71 years old, Naim Qassem is recognized not only for his leadership but also for his written works. Fluent in French, he authored Hizbullah: The Story from Within, which chronicles the foundation and ideology of Hezbollah. The book has been translated into six languages, including Arabic, English, and Farsi, showcasing its widespread impact.
