Will Hashem Safieddine’s Targeting Impact Nasrallah’s Symbolic Funeral?

Hours before the symbolic funeral of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Israeli airstrikes targeted his cousin Hashem Safieddine in Beirut. Will this attack overshadow Nasrallah’s symbolic funeral today?

Hashem Safieddine, seen as Nasrallah’s successor, was targeted by Israel as they intensified their campaign against Hezbollah. The airstrike occurred just hours before Nasrallah’s symbolic funeral, which was meant to bolster his image among supporters. However, Safieddine’s targeting might overshadow the ceremony.

Nasrallah’s supporters may view this attack as an assault on their collective identity, potentially rallying more support for Hezbollah’s cause. Yet, it could also expose vulnerabilities in the group’s leadership, influencing the tone of Nasrallah’s funeral.

Safieddine, designated a terrorist by the US in 2017, is a key figure in Hezbollah’s political and military operations. His son, Ridha Safieddine, is married to Zeinab Soleimani, the daughter of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in 2020.

With memories of past attacks on leaders like Soleimani, Hezbollah supporters may worry about further strikes during the funeral. The ongoing Israeli campaign against Hezbollah’s leadership could delay Nasrallah’s proper religious send-off, which might happen discreetly in the future when the situation calms.

If Safieddine is indeed killed, this will further extend the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, with both sides continuing their strikes.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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