We are a people [whose spirit] cannot be broken, cannot be defeated, and do not back down.
- Hezbollah Executive Council Chief, Martyr Sayyed Hashem Safieddine

The news of the martyrdom of then-Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, which came just two days after the devastating strike on Beirut’s Southern Suburb in Haret Hreik, was harrowing for all supporters of the Resistance and the Palestinian cause. Even those who did not support the cause were shaken. The loss of such an iconic figure—a leader who guided Hezbollah to victory after victory over four decades—was perhaps the most crushing blow that any supporter of the Palestinian cause and the path of Resistance could have faced.

However, the martyrdom of Sayyed Hashem Safieddine compounded that grief, amplifying the widespread pain felt after the loss of Hezbollah’s beloved leader. The towering figure had, as discussed in closed circles and later reported in the media, been appointed to assume leadership of the Resistance movement should anything happen to Sayyed Nasrallah.  

The knowledge that Sayyed Safieddine would have led Hezbollah through the war had reassured many, as he was personally entrusted by the legendary leader to carry the banner of resistance against the imperialist and colonialist projects of the United States and the Israeli occupation.

A Sayyed in the wake of a Sayyed

The fact that he, like Sayyed Nasrallah, was a descendant of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and even related to him, became a source of solace for many struggling with their despair. That solace could also be found in the great resemblance between the two. Whether in terms of looks, public speaking abilities, charisma, mannerisms, or tonality, it was clear that there could not have been a better successor.  

That hope—the idea that the Resistance would be led by a man cut from the same cloth as Sayyed Nasrallah—served as a lifeline for many. This is not to downplay the stature of Secretary General Naim Qassem, one of the founders of the modern Resistance movement. However, losing two leaders in such quick succession caused unbearable pain for many.

Hezbollah is not dependent on any one individual. Hezbollah is a path, a project, an organization, and an Ummah.

- Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah

Sayyed Nasrallah knew the love the public had for him would devastate them were anything to happen to him. This meant he had a responsibility toward the people to assure them that his passing or martyrdom would not affect the unwavering Hezbollah, and this extended to Sayyed Safieddine as well.

An unstoppable movement

The entire hierarchy of Hezbollah is based on the principle that no matter how many commanders or high-ranking officials are assassinated, the organization would be untouched, and its inner workings would proceed as if nothing had happened. However, despite the organizational discipline and integrity within the Resistance movement, the public is not immune to the effects of grief. Yet, raised at the hands of commanders who had sacrificed everything possible, from leading a normal life to their own offspring and kin, the public showed unyielding steadfastness. They knew the morale of the fighters clashing with the most advanced army in the region relied on them, and they did not relent.

"It is what God wills," "They have long strived for martyrdom," "It is what they had wanted," "Imagine the grief we would be feeling had they died a normal death instead of being martyred like they'd always wanted," etc. were all quotes heard by the supporters of the Resistance, indicating an unyielding resolve and sheer determination to continue on the path to liberation no matter the cost.  

"نسقط شهداء لتبقى الراية مرفوعة.."

السيد الهاشمي السيد هاشم صفي الدين "قدسّ سره"#وطن_السيد_عالموعد#إنا_على_العهد#طريق_٨٢ pic.twitter.com/WyFIS8Z9hs

— 82 ط ريق (@route_82) February 21, 2025

Sayyed Safieddine was not merely a figure of authority; he was a pillar of ideological steadfastness. He was a renowned strategist whose vision extended beyond the battlefield. Born in the southern Lebanese town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in 1964, his early years were shaped by the struggle against Israeli occupation. Since his early days in Hezbollah, he exhibited the traits of a leader—wisdom beyond his years, a deep understanding of the geopolitical landscape, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of Resistance, justice, and Islam. 

He was a scholar, studying in the religious seminaries of Qom starting in the early 1980s alongside Sayyed Nasrallah. Over the years, he earned the trust of Hezbollah’s leadership and the admiration of its popular base. By the time he became head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, he had already established himself as a key decision-maker, a man whose words carried a weight perhaps only paralleled by the martyred Secretary General himself. This was evident in how he was the first Hezbollah official to speak publicly following the launch of October 7's al-Aqsa Flood. 

The whole world has witnessed that the black stains [of shame and guilt] will remain imprinted on their [the Zionist leaders'] foreheads until the end of this entity; this is not just the battle of the people of Gaza and the West Bank, but the entire Ummah. Everyone must participate in it [...] Our history, our guns, and our rockets are with you. Everything we have is with you.

- Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, October 8, 2023 

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Leading the council

Sayyed Safieddine's stature is the product of years of effort and dedication, for he was one of the key founders of Hezbollah. From Qom, he played a pivotal part in building and shaping Hezbollah, its vision, ideologies, and direction. Due to his efforts, he was summoned over a decade later in 1994 to serve as part of Hezbollah's Executive Council.

The Executive Council is one of Hezbollah's most senior bodies. It is composed of several high-ranking leaders and carries the weight of overseeing Hezbollah's political, social, and administrative activities, essentially functioning as a channel for the organization to communicate with the outside world and its popular base alike. It handles the key issues of education, healthcare, and media and was shaped and molded by its chief, martyr Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, who presided over the body since 2001.

Due to its core value at the center of Hezbollah's policies, being the head of the Executive Council meant Sayyed Safieddine's title as "Hezbollah's second-in-command" was well earned, as he was among the top decision-makers in the movement.

Legendary military commander

Moreover, Sayyed Safieddine was a member of Hezbollah's Jihad Council, which oversees the Resistance movement's military operations and development, as well as its strategic planning. This means that any action taken by Hezbollah on a military level had to either go through the Jihad Council or be directed by it. 

According to Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Jihad Council is made up of "those in charge of resistance activity, be that in terms of oversight, recruitment, training, equipment, security, or any other resistance-related endeavors."

The Jihad Council is responsible for the armament of Hezbollah, including the development and supervision of the usage of advanced weaponry, such as drones, rockets, and anti-tank missiles. The council also manages the recruitment and training of Hezbollah fighters, most notably those of specialized units, including the renowned Nasr, Aziz, and Badr Units, as well as the most well-known Radwan Unit.

One of the most important tasks undertaken by this body includes international military coordination with Hezbollah's allies, such as Iran and its Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), not to mention its role in intelligence, counterintelligence, and security, meaning it handles foiling espionage and infiltration attempts, conducts intelligence-gathering and surveillance missions, and takes measures to protect Hezbollah's military assets and leadership.

While there is no publicly available information about Sayyed Safieddine's exact role and contributions within the Jihad Council, through speculation, and the acknowledgment of his central role in the body, his significance can be deduced through the knowledge of the council's activity and tasks. This means Sayyed Hashem was a major contributor to Hezbollah's military development, coordination with foreign allies, intelligence operations, and far beyond what words and publicly available information can convey. 

That, atop his position as the head of the Executive Council, meant nearly every action taken by Hezbollah within the council's scope had to pass across him, as he was a central figure in the Resistance movement, and that is a well-known fact among the public. Sayyed Hashem was more than a figure of authority, serving as a cornerstone for Hezbollah.

The man of the people

On the popular level, Sayyed Safieddine was renowned as the figure who undertook social causes and issues. He supervised reconstruction following the July 2006 war on Lebanon and took it upon himself to ensure that the people of Lebanon suffered no humiliation, expediting reconstruction and guaranteeing it be carried out in an efficient manner. He was highly popular because he was a hands-on leader who sought to give back to the community, which, atop everything else, made him highly popular. 

He closely followed the guidelines of martyred Hezbollah Secretary General Abbas al-Moussawi when it came to serving the people, conserving his legacy while implementing Islamic teachings to take care of the community.

We will serve you with the lashes of our eyes.

- Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi

His conservation of Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi's ideals falls in line with the idea that Hezbollah is not dependent on one individual, and its message and path would be implemented no matter who is at the helm of the organization. This was also evident with how Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah lead Hezbollah, as most people did not even feel a change after the transition from Sayyed al-Moussawi.

Sayyed Safieddine was keen on safeguarding Hezbollah's path, just like Sayyed Nasrallah before him, and just like Sheikh Qassem after him. Hezbollah never lost track or focus regardless of how many assassinations it endured. Just like its political structure did not collapse despite the assassinations of its secretaries general, its military structure did not buckle despite the assassination of top military commanders, such as Hajj Imad Mughniyeh, Sayyed Mostapha Badreddine or Hajj Ibrahim Aqil. 

Hezbollah is not an ordinary organization; its continuity is near-guaranteed, not just due to its massive infrastructure and great minds but because of its behemoth popular base whose support is unparalleled. This is to be credited to the great minds at the helm of the organization who knew how to communicate with the public and bolster their standing as a Resistance movement that is for the people and against the enemies of the state. Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, as aforementioned, helped shape this image throughout his 40 years as a senior official within the organization.

The last speech

Speaking during a funeral procession in the Southern Suburb of Beirut following a devastating Israeli act of aggression, Sayyed Safieddine affirmed that patience was met with divine reward. "When there is patience, God grants believers the best rewards in this life and the hereafter. This is our culture, our resistance, and the history of these honorable and noble families."

"The enemy does not yet comprehend what the society of Resistance is—one that was raised on the sacrifices of Karbala, of Sayyed Al-Shuhada [Imam Hussein], and Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas, who, even when his right hand was severed, carried the sword with his left, and when his left was severed, continued until the end," he added.

"Let the people of the Resistance and all those who love it rest assured—this Resistance is strong, proud, and great. It remains steadfast and fully capable of dealing defeats to the enemy," he stressed. 

His optimism and the way he spoke with the people and reassured them throughout his life was a massive boost to his popularity, for he mirrored Sayyed Nasrallah in that manner as well. During times of war and siege, his leadership was evident. He was instrumental in shaping Hezbollah’s response to Israeli aggression, overseeing critical military and political decisions that solidified the movement’s strength and public perception.

His martyrdom, like that of Sayyed Nasrallah before him and Sayyed Abbas before him, left an irreplaceable void. But for the Resistance, grief has never been an end—only a passage toward greater resolve. Sayyed Hashem Safieddine was not merely a leader lost; he was a legacy forged in blood and sacrifice, a guiding star for those who continue the struggle against oppression. His name now joins the pantheon of martyrs who shaped the Resistance, not as a memory of what was lost, but as a testament to what will endure, and what will endure is the cause of liberation.