Hezbollah has announced the election of Naim Kassem as its new chief, following the death of its long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September.
Kassem, who served as Nasrallah’s deputy for three decades, had been acting as the group’s leader since Nasrallah’s passing. In a statement, Hezbollah pledged to uphold Nasrallah’s policies “until victory is achieved.”
Originally appointed deputy chief in 1991 by then-leader Abbas al-Musawi, Kassem retained his position even after al-Musawi was killed the following year. While he may not possess the same charisma and oratory skills as his predecessor, Kassem has frequently represented the group at public events and rallies, especially during Nasrallah’s years in hiding due to threats from Israel. He has also participated in interviews with foreign media.
In 2005, Kassem authored a book detailing Hezbollah’s history, providing a rare insider perspective on the organization.
After Nasrallah’s death, many anticipated that Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Nasrallah and head of the group’s political affairs, would take over leadership. However, he was also killed in an Israeli strike earlier in October.
Notably, Kassem wears a white turban, distinguishing him from Nasrallah and Safieddine, who wore black turbans signifying their lineage as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.