Israel Report: Hezbollah loses contact with high-ranking member

According to a media report, Hezbollah in Lebanon has lost contact with a high-ranking member and possible successor to its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah is no longer in contact with Hisham Safi al-Din, the news channel Al-Jazeera reported, citing security circles in Lebanon and circles within the militia. Safi al-Din is considered a promising candidate to succeed Secretary General Nasrallah, who was killed a week ago in an Israeli attack south of Beirut.

Nader Hashemi, Professor of Middle East Studies at Georgetown University, told Al-Jazeera that the loss of contact was "another serious and significant setback" for Hezbollah. The news was probably intended to prepare supporters for the possible confirmation of his death.

Safi al-Din is head of the Executive Council, which leads Hezbollah in political, organizational and social areas, and is therefore one of the most important figures within the leadership. He is the cousin of the late Nasrallah on his mother's side.

SDA