Lebanese Hezbollah announced the election of Sheikh Naim Qassem as its new secretary general, according to Arab media.
The decision was made by consensus at the Shura Council, according to a statement on Tuesday, 29 October. The council chose the new leader after the assassination of his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah.
Based on faith in God Almighty, commitment to authentic Muhammadan Islam, adherence to Hezbollah’s principles and goals, and in accordance with the approved mechanism for electing the Secretary-General, Hezbollah’s Shura Council has agreed to elect His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem as Secretary-General of Hezbollah.
The movement pledged to honour Nasrallah’s legacy, calling him “our supreme and dearest martyr.” Hezbollah also vowed to “keep the resistance’s flame bright and its banner raised until victory is achieved.” In his latest speech, Qassem outlined a new strategy for engaging with the Israeli military, which he described as “inflicting pain.”
According to Elaph, the group is experiencing unprecedented internal turmoil, as mass defections occur within the ranks of the Iranian-backed militia. The defection follows more than a year of gunfire with Israel, as well as against the backdrop of an expanding Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon.
Many operatives are not responding to summons from leadership and have fled with their families to Syrian territory to avoid direct confrontation with Israeli forces.
