Naim Qassem Appointed as New Hezbollah Leader
In Beirut, Lebanon, Hezbollah has appointed Shiite cleric Naim Qassem as its new leader. This decision comes nearly a month after the previous leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, which was a significant setback for the Iran-backed group.
Temporary Appointment
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant commented on social media, describing Qassem’s appointment as “Temporary. Not for long.”
Qassem’s Background
The Senior Council of Hezbollah elected Qassem, highlighting his dedication to “Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and the group’s core values. Qassem, who was Nasrallah’s deputy, is one of the few leaders to survive the recent Israeli attacks targeting key Hezbollah figures.
Expert Insights
Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Centre, mentioned that Qassem’s appointment was anticipated due to limited choices among top-tier clerics. Qassem, a familiar figure, was seen as an obvious choice for the organization.
Historical Context
Born in 1953 in Kfar Kila, Qassem was a founding member of Hezbollah in 1982 and has been the deputy secretary-general since 1991, also managing the group’s parliamentary activities. Before joining Hezbollah, he was part of “Harakat al Mahrumin,” which later became associated with the Amal movement, allied with Hezbollah.
Connection with the Public
Although Qassem is a significant figure in Hezbollah, his connection with the general Lebanese population may not be as strong as Nasrallah’s, who had a background that resonated more with the poorer classes. Qassem is seen as representing the “lower middle class.”
Doubts Revealed
Hezbollah -: Hezbollah is a political and military group based in Lebanon. It was formed in the 1980s and is known for its resistance against Israel and its influence in Lebanese politics.
Naim Qassem -: Naim Qassem is a Lebanese politician who has been involved with Hezbollah since its early days. He was the deputy leader before being appointed as the new leader.
Hassan Nasrallah -: Hassan Nasrallah was the leader of Hezbollah before Naim Qassem. He was a prominent figure in the group and known for his speeches and leadership.
Israeli airstrike -: An Israeli airstrike is when Israel uses its air force to attack targets from the air. In this context, it refers to the attack that reportedly led to Hassan Nasrallah’s death.
Israeli Defence Minister -: The Israeli Defence Minister is a government official in Israel responsible for the country’s defense and military matters. Yoav Gallant is the person holding this position in the context of the summary.
Senior Council -: The Senior Council in Hezbollah is a group of high-ranking members who make important decisions for the organization, like choosing a new leader.
Mohanad Hage Ali -: Mohanad Hage Ali is an expert or analyst who provides insights and opinions on Middle Eastern politics, including groups like Hezbollah.
Lebanese public -: The Lebanese public refers to the people living in Lebanon, a country in the Middle East. Their views and connections with leaders like Nasrallah and Qassem can vary.