Who is Naim Qassem? After Hassan Nasrallah deputy named Hezbollah chief, Israel says ‘not for long’- The Week

After the killings of Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine, the Lebanese militant group has elected Naim Qassem as its new chief.

However, Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant took to X and posted a photo of Qassem, saying, “Temporary appointment. Not for long.”

Who is Naim Qassem?

Hezbollah announced that Naim Qassem, 71, was elected as new secretary general by its Shura Council. Qassem became Hezbollah deputy chief in 1991, when he was appointed by former secretary general Abbas al-Musawi. He continued in the role when Nasrallah succeeded al Musawi after the latter was killed by an Israeli helicopter attack in 1992.

Qassem had been serving as Hezbollah’s spokesman, including during the past one year following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Unlike Nasrallah and Safieddine who wore a black turban to denote their Sayyed title (Prophet Mohammed’s descendant), Qassem wears a white turban.

Qassem was born in Beirut in 1953 in the border village of Kfar Fila. He was initially part of Hezbollah ally Lebanese Shi’te Amal Movement. In 1979 he left the movement following Iran’s Islamic revolution. He later joined Hezbollah and rose through the ranks.