Sheikh Naim Qassem: Hezbollah’s New Leader and His Stance Against Israel

Sheikh Naim Qassem has recently been elected the head of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon. He has been a significant figure in the organisation for over 30 years. His recent statements reveal the group’s ongoing conflict with Israel and its plans moving forward.

Qassem’s Views on the Israel Conflict

In a televised speech on October 8, delivered from an undisclosed location, Qassem said the conflict with Israel is a “war about who cries first.” He declared that Hezbollah would not be the first to show weakness. Despite facing “painful blows” from Israeli forces, he stated that the group’s military strength remains strong. He also supported Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri’s efforts to secure a ceasefire. This was a notable change, as he did not mention the previous condition of a Gaza truce for stopping attacks on Israel.

Context of the Speech

Qassem’s 30-minute address came shortly after an Israeli strike targeted senior Hezbollah member Hashem Safieddine. Hezbollah confirmed Safieddine’s death on October 23. Qassem spoke publicly for the first time after the assassination of Hezbollah’s previous leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on September 27.

Commitment to Leadership Change

On September 30, Qassem said Hezbollah would choose a successor to Nasrallah “at the earliest opportunity.” He emphasised that the group would continue to fight against Israel in support of the Palestinian cause. He noted, “What we are doing is the bare minimum… We know that the battle may be long.” This shows Hezbollah’s determination in the ongoing conflict.

Qassem’s Political Background

Sheikh Naim Qassem was born in 1953 in Beirut. He began his political career with the Lebanese Shi’ite Amal Movement. In 1979, he left Amal, influenced by Iran’s Islamic Revolution, which affected many young Shi’ite activists in Lebanon. He played a key role in forming Hezbollah, which was established with the help of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

Since 1992, Qassem has coordinated Hezbollah’s parliamentary election campaigns. In 2005, he published a history of Hezbollah, providing a rare insider’s view of the organisation. Unlike Nasrallah and Safieddine, who wear black turbans to signify their descent from the Prophet Muhammad, Qassem wears a white turban.

Sheikh Naim Qassem’s leadership is an important moment for Hezbollah as the group faces ongoing tensions with Israel. His commitment to resilience and support for the Palestinian cause highlights Hezbollah’s focus and strategy in a changing region.