BEIRUT, Lebanon — In a series of rapid and precise airstrikes, Israel has killed several top Hezbollah leaders, including the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, in what is being described as the most significant blow to the Iran-backed militant organisation since its inception in the early 1980s.
The assassination of Nasrallah, along with the deaths of numerous high-ranking officials, has left Hezbollah scrambling to fill its leadership void amid an escalating conflict with Israel.
The airstrikes, which have targeted Hezbollah’s leadership and military infrastructure, come as Israel launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon this week.
Decimation of Hezbollah’s Leadership
Hezbollah’s leadership has been significantly weakened by the recent strikes, which have taken out many of its top commanders. Below is a list of some of Hezbollah’s most prominent leaders killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent months:
- June 30, 2024 — Fu’ad Shukr
Shukr, Hezbollah’s most senior military official and a key member of the group’s jihad council, was considered Nasrallah’s right-hand man. He was killed in a drone strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The U.S. had placed a $5 million bounty on Shukr for his involvement in global terrorism. - September 20, 2024 — Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmad Wehbe
Aqil, the top commander and founder of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force, was assassinated alongside Wehbe, another senior commander of the Radwan Force, in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. Aqil was infamous for his suspected role in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and the Marine barracks attack, and the U.S. had a $7 million bounty on his head. - September 25, 2024 — Ibrahim Kobeissi
Kobeissi, who led Hezbollah’s missile unit, was killed by an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs. His death severely disrupted the group’s missile capabilities. - September 26, 2024 — Mohammad Surour
Surour, the head of Hezbollah’s newly established drone unit, was killed in a strike in Beirut. He was responsible for overseeing Hezbollah’s drone and cruise missile attacks on Israel from Lebanon. - September 27, 2024 — Hassan Nasrallah
Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader since 1992, was assassinated in a targeted Israeli airstrike on his underground headquarters in southern Beirut. Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah from a militant group into a formidable political force in Lebanon. His death, along with 20 other Hezbollah members in the strike, marks a pivotal moment in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Sheik Nabil Kaouk, right, Hezbollah’s commander in south Lebanon, and Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah, left, attend the funeral of prominent businessman Hassan Tajeddine, from a very rich and influential Shiite family in southern Lebanon and a strong Hezbollah supporter, January 26, 2010. | AP Photo/Hussein Malla - September 29, 2024 — Nabil Qaouk
Qaouk, who served as Commander of Hezbollah’s Preventive Security Unit and was a member of the group’s central council, was killed in an Israeli raid in Beirut’s Chyah district. He had been designated a global terrorist by the U.S. in 2020.
Hezbollah Faces Leadership Crisis
The loss of Nasrallah and other senior figures leaves Hezbollah with a leadership vacuum at a critical time. As the group faces relentless Israeli military pressure, its remaining leaders must now decide on a successor and chart the course for the organization’s future.
The following leaders remain among Hezbollah’s highest-ranking officials:
- Naim Qassim
Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general, Qassim is currently the group’s highest-ranking official and could assume a larger leadership role in the wake of Nasrallah’s death. - Hashem Safieddine
Safieddine, head of Hezbollah’s executive council, is another likely candidate to succeed Nasrallah. He is seen as a close ally of Iran and a key strategist within the organization. - Ibrahim Amin Al-Sayyed
As head of Hezbollah’s political council, Al-Sayyed plays a significant role in shaping the group’s political agenda. - Mohammed Raad
Raad is the head of Hezbollah’s bloc in the Lebanese parliament and represents the group’s political influence within the country’s legislative body.
Israel’s Ground Offensive and Hezbollah’s Response
As Hezbollah reels from the loss of its leadership, Israel has intensified its military operations in southern Lebanon.
Israeli forces are targeting Hezbollah’s military positions, including missile-launch sites and command centers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will continue to “hit Hezbollah with all our might” as part of a broader strategy to dismantle the group’s military capabilities.
Despite the devastating losses, Hezbollah has vowed to continue its fight against Israel. The group is expected to announce a new leader in the coming days, with the remaining senior officials attempting to maintain unity within the organization.
Regional Implications
The assassination of Nasrallah and the deaths of Hezbollah’s senior commanders are likely to have far-reaching consequences for Lebanon and the broader Middle East.
Hezbollah has been a dominant political and military force in Lebanon, and regional and international powers will closely watch the selection of its new leader.
As Israel’s military campaign continues, the region braces for further escalations, with concerns that the conflict could spread beyond Lebanon’s borders.
For now, Hezbollah faces an uncertain future as it seeks to recover from its most significant losses in decades.
