Hezbollah announced on Tuesday that cleric Naim Kassem has been appointed to lead the Lebanese militant organization following the death of its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in a Beirut suburb at the end of September. The organization’s Shura Council made the decision to elect Kassem, 71, as the new secretary-general and committed to maintaining Nasrallah’s policies “until victory is achieved.”

Since the assassination of Nasrallah, who was a vital figure in Hezbollah, Kassem has emerged as a prominent public representative for the group. Although he is one of Hezbollah’s founding members, his supporters note that he may not possess the same level of charisma and oratorical prowess as his predecessor. In a televised address earlier this month, Kassem, who holds the clerical title of sheikh, asserted that Hezbollah’s military strength remains unscathed following the loss of Nasrallah, and he issued a warning to Israelis that they would face ongoing consequences as the conflict persists.

Kassem has been previously sanctioned by the United States, which labels Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. His elevation to leadership was anticipated since he had been Nasrallah’s deputy for over three decades, often serving as the face of the group in various media engagements. Qassim Qassir, a Lebanese analyst with ties to Hezbollah, remarked that Kassem’s selection signals that the organization has structured itself effectively, countering claims that they are being controlled by advisers from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

In a previous interview conducted in July, Kassem expressed skepticism about Israel’s readiness for a large-scale conflict against Hezbollah. He cautioned that even a limited Israeli operation in Lebanon might not remain confined to just a small engagement. Following a violent incursion by Hamas into Israel on October 7, 2023, where approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and around 250 taken hostage, Hezbollah commenced assaults on Israeli military positions along the Lebanese border, framing it as support for their Hamas allies.

The escalation of hostilities triggered a yearlong conflict between Israel and Hamas, with retaliatory assaults on Gaza leading to the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health reports. Kassem voiced concerns regarding the unpredictable ramifications of igniting a war in Lebanon, both regionally and internationally. He expressed pride in Hezbollah’s actions supporting Hamas, recognizing the sacrifices made by the group.

Less than three months post the Hamas incursion, the war expanded into Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties and displacing over 1.2 million people. The military operations have devastated southern and eastern Lebanon as well as parts of Beirut, particularly in areas associated with Hezbollah. Israeli forces are engaged in ongoing encounters with Hezbollah fighters as they attempt to advance further into southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah continues to fire rockets and missiles into northern Israel, with recent claims of damaging an Israeli military installation south of Tel Aviv. The group also took credit for a drone attack on the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although no injuries occurred in that incident.

Naim Kassem, born in 1953 in Kfar Fila in southern Lebanon, earned a degree in chemistry from Lebanese University and worked as a chemistry teacher prior to dedicating his life to religious studies. He was involved in the establishment of organizations aimed at enhancing representation for Lebanon’s marginalized Shiite community and was a part of the original Hezbollah formation, which was aided by Iran during the Israeli invasion in 1982.

Kassem has operated as Hezbollah’s deputy since 1991, following the death of Abbas Mousawi, who was killed in an Israeli attack. Kassem’s leadership selection occurred just days after Hezbollah confirmed the death of Hashem Safieddine, another prominent figure within the group who had been a favorite to succeed Nasrallah. Kassem’s appointment was framed by Hezbollah as essential for effectively guiding the group amidst the current turmoil, with an emphasis on divine assistance in fulfilling this significant role.

In a recent setback for Hezbollah, an attack in mid-September caused communication devices used by their members to explode simultaneously, resulting in 39 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries. This event has led to numerous individuals suffering from permanent disabilities, and Israel was held accountable for this incident. Qassir noted that Kassem’s selection is indicative of Hezbollah’s resilience in the face of recent challenges.