Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem relocates to Iran amid Israeli threats
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem moves to Iran for safety from Israeli threats
Hezbollah’s deputy secretary general, Naim Qassem, has left Lebanon for Iran due to assassination threats from Israel. This follows the killing of top leaders by Israeli forces, including Hassan Nasrallah and his cousin Hashem Safieddine. The status of Safieddine remains uncertain after heavy Israeli bombardment in Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier this month.
According to Iranian sources, Qassem departed Beirut for Damascus on 5 October and then flew to Tehran. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. A high-ranking Iranian source indicated that Qassem’s relocation was ordered by Iranian authorities to protect him from assassination by Israel.
Naim Qassem has been a prominent figure in Hezbollah since its early days. He is known for his ideological contributions and was part of a network of radical Shia scholars. Qassem earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Lebanese University in the 1970s while studying under Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. He led the Association for Islamic Religious Education from 1974 to 1988 and helped found the Lebanese Union of Muslim Students.
🇮🇷🇱🇧The Emirati EREM channel reports from an "Iranian source" that the Iranian Foreign Minister took Naim Qassem with him on his plane back to Tehran, where he is now staying. (Abu Ali)
I don't know if this is true, but it is certainly plausible, especially given the… pic.twitter.com/doSLlEBqvo
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) October 20, 2024
Qassem supervised Hezbollah’s educational network and became the Deputy Secretary General in 1991, succeeding Abbas al-Moussaoui after his assassination. He is a member of the Shura Council, overseeing the group’s governmental and paramilitary activities. Fluent in French, Qassem is also an accomplished writer, authoring “Hizbullah: The Story from Within,” which has been translated into six languages.
Qassem delivered his last address to the people of Lebanon from Tehran on 15 October. In his speech, he asserted that Hezbollah could not be defeated by Israeli bombardment or the killing of its leaders. He called for a ceasefire and warned of escalating attacks within Israel, stating that Hezbollah has the right to target any location in Israel as a defensive measure.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Economic Times reports Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s interim leader, fled Lebanon due to Israeli assassination fears, highlighting escalating regional tensions and Iran’s support for the group.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Naim Qassem leave Lebanon?
He left due to assassination threats from Israel.
When did Naim Qassem depart Beirut for Tehran?
He departed on 5 October.
What was Naim Qassem’s role in Hezbollah?
He is the Deputy Secretary General and a member of the Shura Council.
What educational background does Naim Qassem have?
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Lebanese University.
What did Naim Qassem say in his last address from Tehran?
He asserted that Hezbollah could not be defeated by Israeli bombardment and called for a ceasefire.
