Hezbollah announced the martyrdom of Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the head of the Executive Council of the Resistance movement, in an Israeli airstrike that took place days ago. Safieddine, a key figure in the Lebanese resistance movement, was killed alongside several of his fellow fighters, in what the Resistance condemned as a "criminal and aggressive Zionist airstrike."

In a heartfelt statement, Hezbollah paid tribute to Safieddine, describing him as a "great leader and esteemed martyr on the path to al-Quds." The statement emphasized that he was martyred content and patient, accepting his fate as a martyr.

Safieddine's death is a significant loss for Hezbollah, with the latter comparing his relationship with martyred Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to that of al-Abbas and Imam Hussein. Al-Abbas was Imam Hussein's stepbrother, and he was martyred while attempting to procure water during what is known as the battle of Karbala, when the entire family of Imam Hussein was under siege by the army of Yazid bin Mu'awiyah, who was waging an unjust war against them that did not discriminate between child and soldier, much like the Israelis are doing.

Sayyed Safieddine was praised as Sayyed Nasrallah's loyal brother, supporter, and the bearer of his banner. "He was his brother, his right hand, his trusted companion in hardships, and his trustee in times of difficulty," the statement read, likening him to the revered figures of early Islamic history who defended their faith.

Throughout his life, Sayyed Safieddine dedicated his efforts to serving Hezbollah, the Islamic Resistance, and its community. For many years, he led the Executive Council with responsibility and expertise, overseeing the organization's institutions and operational units across various fields. He remained close to the fighters on the ground and maintained a deep connection with the public, especially the families of martyrs, the statement added. His dedication was honored with his martyrdom, "joining the luminous convoy of the martyrs of Karbala."

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Hezbollah extended its condolences to Imam Mahdi, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, and the global Islamic religious seminaries, as well as to Sayyed Safieddine's family. The group also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the path of resistance, vowing to achieve freedom and victory.

The statement translated in full:

We eulogize to the nation of martyrs and fighters, the nation of resistance and victory, a great leader and an esteemed martyr on the path to al-Quds, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, the honorable scholar Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, may God bless his soul. He departed to his Lord, alongside the finest of his fellow fighters, content and accepted, patient and devoted, in a criminal and aggressive Zionist airstrike.

Sayyed Hashem joined his brother, our dearest and most revered martyr, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. He was indeed a true brother to him, standing by his side as Al-Abbas stood by Imam Hussein, peace be upon them. He was his brother, his support, the bearer of his banner, the source of his trust, and his reliance in times of hardship. He followed the path of those who fought in the Battle of Badr, defending God's religion, pious, righteous, a leader, a strategist, a commander, and a martyr.

Sayyed Hashem Safieddine dedicated his life to the service of Hezbollah, the Islamic Resistance, and its community. For many years, he responsibly and skillfully managed the Executive Council, its various institutions, and its operational units in all fields, staying close to the fighters and deeply connected to the public. He loved the families of the martyrs until God honored him with martyrdom, joining the luminous convoy of the martyrs of Karbala.

We offer our condolences to the Awaited Imam, may God hasten his reappearance, to the esteemed Leader of the Muslims, may God protect him, to the blessed religious seminaries across the Islamic world, to his fellow fighters in the Islamic Resistance, and to his honorable, patient, and devoted family. We ask God to grant them beautiful patience and the reward of this life and the hereafter.

We pledge to our great martyr and his fellow martyrs to continue on the path of resistance and jihad until we achieve its goals of freedom and victory.