Beirut: Naim Qasim was elected the new leader of Hezbollah on Tuesday. Before this he was the Deputy Secretary General of Hezbollah. He has been a senior official in the Iran-backed group Hezbollah for more than 30 years. His appointment follows the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and his successor, Hashem Saffieddin, in an Israeli strike. Speaking behind the scenes from an undisclosed location on October 8, Qassim said that the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is a war of who shouts first. He promised that Hezbollah would not be the first to shout in this war. He claimed that despite Israel’s painful attacks, Hezbollah’s capabilities remain intact.
Naeem Qasim wants ceasefire with Israel
However, Qasim had also talked about ceasefire in his same speech. It was also the first call for a ceasefire by a senior Hezbollah leader that did not call for a ceasefire in Gaza as a precondition. Earlier, almost all the senior leaders of Hezbollah had said that Hezbollah would stop attacks on Israel only when the ceasefire is implemented in the Gaza Strip. Qassem said his group supports the ceasefire efforts by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Naeem Qasim becomes leader after Hashem Saffieddin
His 30-minute televised address came just days after senior Hezbollah leader Hashem Saffiedine was the target of an Israeli strike and 11 days after the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah confirmed Saffieddin’s killing on 23 October. Qassim was appointed deputy chief of staff in 1991 by Abbas al-Musawi, then secretary-general of the armed group Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli helicopter strike the following year.
Naeem Qasim a well-known name in Hezbollah
Qasim continued in his role even when Hassan Nasrallah became leader of Hezbollah. He has long been one of Hezbollah’s leading spokesmen, giving interviews to foreign media during last year’s cross-border conflict with Israel. Qassim’s televised address on October 8 was his second since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalated in September. He was the first member of Hezbollah’s top leadership to comment on television following the killing of Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on 27 September.
Naeem Qasim is the vocal face of Hezbollah
Speaking on 30 September, Qassim said that Hezbollah would elect a successor to its slain secretary general at the “earliest opportunity” and would continue fighting Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians. “What we are doing is the bare minimum… We know the fight could be a long one,” he said in a 19-minute speech.
Naeem Qasim is a founding member of Hezbollah
Born in 1953 in the Lebanese capital Beirut, Qassim’s political activism began with the Lebanese Shia Amal movement. He left the group in 1979 in the wake of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, which shaped the political thinking of many young Lebanese Shia activists. Qassim took part in the meetings that led to the formation of Hezbollah, which was founded with the support of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Naeem Qasim wears white turban
He has been the general coordinator of Hezbollah’s parliamentary election campaigns since the group first contested elections in 1992. In 2005, he wrote a history of Hezbollah, which was seen as a rare “insider look” at the organization. Qasim wears a white turban, unlike Hassan Nasrallah and Safideen, whose black turbans indicate their descent from the Prophet Muhammad.
Rael and Hezbollah resumed. His prominent position within the organization has made him a familiar figure among both supporters and critics of Hezbollah. As the new leader, Qasim faces the challenge of navigating the increasingly complex landscape of the Middle East, balancing Hezbollah’s military objectives with calls for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Qasim’s leadership marks a significant transition for Hezbollah, particularly following the deaths of influential figures like Nasrallah and Saffieddin, who played pivotal roles in shaping the group’s strategies and public image. His experience and long-standing involvement in Hezbollah could provide continuity during these turbulent times.
His mention of a ceasefire without preconditions highlights a potential shift in strategy that may be aimed at reducing tensions and reestablishing a modicum of stability. By supporting initiatives put forth by Lebanese political leaders, Qasim might be positioning Hezbollah as a facilitative force in seeking peace rather than solely a militant one.
The international community is likely to watch Qasim’s next moves closely, as Hezbollah’s actions can significantly impact regional dynamics and relations with Israel. The future of Hezbollah under Qasim’s leadership, especially in the context of its ongoing conflict with Israel and its involvement in broader regional issues, remains to be seen.
From the Prophet Muhammad. This distinction often symbolizes Qasim’s different role within the organization, as he presents a more accessible and relatable image to the public.
Background of Naeem Qasim
Naeem Qasim has been a pivotal figure in Hezbollah since its inception. Born in 1953 in Beirut, he initially engaged in political activism within the Lebanese Shia Amal movement before transitioning to Hezbollah after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. His involvement in the formation of Hezbollah during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 underscores his deep-rooted commitment to the organization’s objectives and values.
Rise to Leadership
After more than three decades as a senior official, Qasim’s ascension to the leadership of Hezbollah marks a significant moment in the group’s history. His predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, was a key symbol of Hezbollah’s resistance against Israel and has been instrumental in shaping the group’s identity. Following Nasrallah’s assassination and Hashem Saffieddin’s killing, Qasim’s leadership comes at a time of heightened tensions and challenges.
Qasim’s Vision and Approach
In his inaugural speech, Qasim emphasized a strategic approach to the ongoing conflict with Israel. His declaration that Hezbollah would not be the first to “shout” in the conflict suggests a measured stance amidst escalating violence. Notably, his call for a ceasefire without preconditions highlights a potential shift in Hezbollah’s strategy, breaking from the past demands for a ceasefire in Gaza to be met first.
Continued Engagement
Qasim’s role as a spokesperson for Hezbollah has established him as a familiar face both within Lebanon and in a broader international context. His televised addresses serve to maintain Hezbollah’s narrative and rally support among its base. His insistence on continuing to fight for Palestine while balancing calls for a ceasefire reflects a complex strategy aimed at addressing both internal and external pressures.
Historical Significance
Qasim’s unique background, approach to leadership, and public persona may influence Hezbollah’s dynamics in the coming years. As a founding member who has survived various leadership changes and challenges, he embodies the continuity of Hezbollah’s mission while also indicating potential adaptability to changing geopolitical landscapes.
Naeem Qasim’s position as the new leader of Hezbollah represents both a continuity of the group’s foundational goals and a possible evolution in its strategy as it navigates the complexities of regional conflict and public perception in the face of challenges.