Hezbollah Elects New Leader Amid Escalating Tensions

Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as the new leader after Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Qassem, previously the deputy head, has been a prominent figure and spokesperson for the group. The appointment follows the death of another potential leader, Hashem Safieddine.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has elected Naim Qassem as its new Secretary General following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut over a month ago.

Qassem, 71, previously served as the deputy chief and was chosen by the group's Shura Council. He was appointed in this role by former secretary general Abbas al-Musawi, who also died in an Israeli attack in 1992.

The Israeli government's Arabic social media account warned that Qassem's leadership might be short-lived if he continues previous patterns, urging for the dissolution of Hezbollah's military presence in Lebanon.

(With inputs from agencies.)