Israel expands Lebanon assault, striking banks to hit Hezbollah's finances
NBCOct 20
Hezbollah Names Naim Qassem as New Leader
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Above: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) meets Hezbollah then-Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem (L) in Tehran, Iran on July 30, 2024. Image copyright: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Hezbollah announced Naim Qassem as its new leader on Tuesday, following the Israeli killing of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah and his likely successor Hashem Safieddine. Israel has implied he would be assassinated soon "if he follows his predecessors."
Hezbollah said Qassem — one of the religious scholars who founded the group in the 1980s and has a long history in Shiite political activism — was elected to the position due to his "adherence to the principles and goals of Hezbollah."
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Naim Qassem will have the same fate as his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah. After killing the long-time terror leader, Israel was swiftly able to eliminate his most likely successor, Hashem Safieddine, and it will not be difficult to locate Qassem, even if he has reportedly fled to Tehran in fear of Israel's might.
Anti-Israel narrative
Sheikh Naim will continue in the footsteps of those before him and continue Hezbollah's valiant resistance to Israel's aggression. Hezbollah has endured many painful blows in recent months, but it has remained steadfast and will continue defending Lebanon.
