BEIRUT — The recent turmoil within Lebanon’s Hezbollah group saw the burial of Hashem Safieddine, the organization’s late leader, in his southern hometown on Monday. This funeral occurred just a day after the body of his relative and predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, was laid to rest in Beirut.
Safieddine, who was approximately 60 years old, met his end in a series of Israeli airstrikes that targeted southern Beirut at the peak of the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict in early October. His death came shortly after that of Nasrallah, who was killed in similar strikes to the south of the capital.
Nasrallah’s funeral, held on September 27, saw the covert appointment of Safieddine as Hezbollah’s new secretary-general, although he was tragically killed just days later. Both leaders were interred at a confidential location as their remains were exhumed for subsequent burial following their deaths during the extended 14-month conflict.
Thousands of supporters followed Safieddine’s coffin, which bore Hezbollah’s emblematic yellow flag, during a procession in the village of Deir Qanoun An-Nahr. His distinctive black turban was placed atop his coffin as a symbol of his leadership.
In a powerful show of unity, the funerals for both Nasrallah and Safieddine drew hundreds of thousands to the streets of Beirut, reflecting the strength of the Iran-affiliated organization amid its considerable losses throughout the rising tensions with Israel. During the services, Israeli warplanes were seen flying at low altitude on two occasions—once upon the arrival of the coffins at the funeral venue and again while Naim Kassem, Hezbollah’s current leader, addressed the crowd.
While Nasrallah was interred in a suburb of Beirut on Sunday evening, Safieddine’s funeral was held in his hometown the following day. Both individuals were instrumental in founding Hezbollah and maintained significant influence among various Iran-supported factions throughout the region.
Safieddine’s prominence in Lebanon as a notable figure included being a part of Hezbollah’s Shura Council and the military-focused Jihad Council, while also overseeing its Executive Council which manages educational and social initiatives. He had a strong connection to Iran, as his son Rida is married to Zeinab Soleimani, the daughter of General Qassem Soleimani, who led Iran’s Quds Force before being killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq in 2020.
Additionally, Safieddine’s brother, Abdallah, serves as Hezbollah’s liaison in Tehran, a critical position for the organization, relying heavily on Iran for financial and military support.
The escalation of violence that erupted the day after the Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties—over 4,000 in Lebanon and dozens more in Israel. This conflict reached a temporary cessation with a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that took effect on November 27.
In the wake of this war, Israel withdrew many of its troops from southern Lebanon but maintained five positions within the country, a move deemed a violation of the ceasefire by the Lebanese government. In conjunction with this, Hezbollah is expected to reinforce its military presence along the border with Israel, continuing the cycle of tension and conflict in the region.
