New Delhi: The Iran-backed Hezbollah has appointed Sheikh Naeem Qasim as its new chief following the death of its long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a recent Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Qasim, who has served as Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General, officially took over leadership on Tuesday after the organization’s Shura Council followed its standard succession protocol.
The transition comes at a critical moment for Hezbollah, as Israeli military operations have intensified against the group. Qasim, also considered a founding member of Hezbollah, inherits Nasrallah’s role amid heightened regional tensions and global scrutiny. The U.S. and many Western countries classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, and Qasim himself faces U.S. sanctions.
Who is Sheikh Naeem Qasim?
Qasim hails from Kafr Fila in southern Lebanon. Originally a chemistry graduate from Lebanese University, he spent years teaching the subject while studying religion and engaging in social activism. His early efforts included founding the Lebanese Union for Muslim Students to promote religious observance among youth.
In the 1970s, Qasim joined the Movement of the Dispossessed, led by Imam Musa Sadr, which advocated for Lebanon’s marginalized Shia population. This group later evolved into the Amal Movement, a significant faction during Lebanon’s civil war, and ultimately became a dominant political party.
Rise Through Hezbollah’s Ranks
After Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, Qasim joined Hezbollah, an organization formed with Iran’s backing in response to the occupation of southern Lebanon. By 1991, Qasim had risen to become Deputy Secretary General, working alongside Nasrallah in expanding Hezbollah’s influence both politically and militarily.
As Hezbollah’s new leader, Qasim now faces the formidable task of steering the organization through a turbulent period as Israel’s military actions against Hezbollah escalate, testing his leadership and Hezbollah’s resilience in the face of international pressures.
