Sheikh Naim Qassem: Hezbollah’s New Chief Amid Tensions

In a rare public move, Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia paramilitary and political group, announced the appointment of Sheikh Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general following the recent assassination of Hassan Nasrallah by Israel on September 27. Known for his deep ties to Hezbollah and decades of political activism, Qassem’s leadership marks a critical transition for the organization amid ongoing Israeli conflicts and internal shifts within Hezbollah’s regional influence.

Background: A Lifetime in Shia Activism

Sheikh Naim Qassem, born in 1953 in Beirut to a family from southern Lebanon, has been immersed in Shia activism for decades. Initially, Qassem joined the Movement of the Dispossessed in the 1970s, a group founded by Imam Musa al-Sadr, which would later integrate into the Amal Movement, a prominent Shia political party in Lebanon. However, with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, Qassem left Amal and became one of the founding clerics of Hezbollah, solidifying his role as a central figure within the organization. Since then, Qassem has been a guiding presence within Hezbollah’s leadership and a longtime advisor to Nasrallah.

Rise to Power: Longtime Deputy and Successor

In 1991, Sheikh Qassem became Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general, a position he held under then-leader Abbas al-Musawi. When al-Musawi was killed in an Israeli helicopter strike the following year, Qassem was expected to rise to leadership. However, the Shura Council chose Hassan Nasrallah, who would lead Hezbollah for over three decades. Qassem continued as Nasrallah’s second-in-command, overseeing Hezbollah’s educational network and parliamentary activities. Known for his white turban, marking him as distinct from leaders like Nasrallah, Qassem has maintained visibility with regular interviews and public addresses, even as Nasrallah took a more reclusive role following the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war.

Assassination of Nasrallah and Qassem’s Election

Following Nasrallah’s assassination, Hezbollah’s governing Shura Council moved quickly to elect Qassem as the new secretary-general despite the ongoing Israeli attacks. The leadership transition has been swift, with Israel’s strikes in Lebanon escalating after Nasrallah’s death. Qassem’s appointment reaffirms his longstanding position in Hezbollah, as well as his readiness to continue the group’s resistance against Israel. He is also well known for his 2005 book, Hizbullah, the Story from Within, an in-depth look at Hezbollah’s ideological and strategic foundations, which has been translated into multiple languages.

A New Leader in Turbulent Times

Hezbollah faces mounting challenges under Qassem’s leadership. The recent targeted killings by Israel have depleted Hezbollah’s senior leadership ranks, and some of Hezbollah’s political allies within Lebanon are distancing themselves from the group. Nonetheless, Qassem has addressed followers in three televised speeches since Nasrallah’s assassination, framing the ongoing conflict with Israel as a “war of endurance.” While Hezbollah maintains that it will not relent first, Qassem’s tenure begins with the organization under more scrutiny and pressure than ever before.

Hezbollah: Origin, Structure, and Influence

Overview

Hezbollah, or the “Party of God,” is a Shia Islamist political and militant organization based in Lebanon. It was founded in the early 1980s with the primary aim of resisting Israeli forces occupying Lebanon at the time and promoting Shia rights within the country’s complex political structure. Over the decades, Hezbollah has evolved into a powerful entity with significant military capabilities and political influence within Lebanon and across the region, backed by Iran and aligned with Syria.

Origins and Founding

Hezbollah was officially founded in 1982, during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The group emerged from the remnants of Amal, a Shia political and militia movement, and was driven by the teachings of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Hezbollah’s goals focused on ending Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon, establishing an Islamic state within Lebanon, and empowering Lebanon’s Shia Muslim community, historically marginalized within Lebanese politics.

Structure and Organization

Hezbollah’s structure is composed of several overlapping councils and branches, enabling it to function as both a political party and a militia. Its core leadership body, the Shura Council, oversees all major decisions and is responsible for appointing key leaders, including the secretary-general.

Hezbollah’s operational branches include:

1. Military Wing: Known as the “Islamic Resistance,” Hezbollah’s armed wing has fought in various conflicts, primarily against Israel, and has developed a sophisticated arsenal and operational capability.

2. Political Wing: Hezbollah operates as a political party within Lebanon and holds seats in the Lebanese Parliament. It participates in elections and has formed coalitions with other political factions, advocating for Shia rights and promoting policies aligned with its interests.

3. Social Services Wing: Hezbollah provides a vast range of social services to Lebanon’s Shia population, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure. These services are a crucial component of its influence, particularly in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

Ideology and Objectives

Hezbollah’s ideology is deeply rooted in Shia Islam and the teachings of Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini. The group advocates for:

• Resistance Against Israel: Hezbollah was initially formed to expel Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. It views Israel as an existential threat and continues to emphasize military resistance, stating that it will oppose Israeli influence in Lebanon and Palestine.

• Lebanese Sovereignty and Shia Empowerment: Hezbollah aims to strengthen the rights and representation of Lebanon’s Shia population, advocating for a more equitable distribution of political power.

• Islamic Governance: Although Hezbollah once aspired to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon, it has largely moderated this goal due to Lebanon’s multi-confessional nature and now advocates for greater Shia representation and respect for Islamic principles within the existing political framework.

Role in the Middle East

Hezbollah’s influence extends well beyond Lebanon, largely due to its close ties with Iran and its support for the Assad regime in Syria. Its involvement in regional conflicts has included:

• Syrian Civil War: Hezbollah has been instrumental in supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, deploying fighters and providing intelligence in key battles. Its involvement in Syria has allowed it to extend its regional influence and retain logistical support from Iran.

• Support for Palestinian Groups: Hezbollah maintains relationships with Palestinian militant organizations, including Hamas, and has provided financial and military support in their resistance against Israel.

Funding and Support

Hezbollah’s primary source of funding comes from Iran, which supplies both financial resources and military aid. Additional funding is generated through donations from Lebanese supporters and a range of businesses and charitable organizations in the Lebanese diaspora. Hezbollah also relies on its social service network within Lebanon, which includes hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, helping it build grassroots support within Lebanon’s Shia population.

Key Figures and Leadership

Since its founding, Hezbollah’s leadership has included figures deeply connected to its ideological goals and military aims:

• Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah: Nasrallah served as Hezbollah’s secretary-general from 1992 until his assassination in 2024. Under his leadership, Hezbollah expanded its military capabilities and regional influence. Nasrallah became a widely respected figure within the Shia community and was known for his strategic acumen.
• Sheikh Naim Qassem: Appointed as Nasrallah’s successor, Qassem has been a long-serving deputy and a foundational figure within Hezbollah. His leadership is expected to continue the group’s stance against Israel and maintain its alliance with Iran.
• Hashem Safieddine: Another prominent figure within Hezbollah, Safieddine headed the Executive Council and was Nasrallah’s potential successor until his own assassination by Israeli forces in 2024.

Conflicts and Military Engagement

Hezbollah has been involved in several major conflicts, primarily with Israel, including:

1. South Lebanon Conflict (1985–2000): Hezbollah engaged in a guerrilla war with Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon, ultimately leading to Israel’s withdrawal in 2000, which Hezbollah regards as a major victory.

2. 2006 Lebanon War: In July 2006, a conflict erupted between Hezbollah and Israel, resulting in extensive destruction in Lebanon and significant military and civilian casualties. The war ended in a United Nations-brokered ceasefire, though Hezbollah declared the conflict a symbolic victory for its ability to withstand the Israeli military.

3. Syrian Civil War: Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria has been one of its largest foreign engagements, with thousands of fighters deployed to support Assad’s regime. This has enhanced its regional status but also drawn criticism from anti-Assad factions and Sunni Arab states.

Controversies and Criticisms

Hezbollah is widely regarded as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Israel, and several EU nations, due to its militant activities and attacks against Israel. In contrast, Hezbollah is seen as a legitimate resistance movement by Lebanon and Iran, as well as by its supporters within the Shia community.

The organization has also faced accusations of political manipulation and coercion within Lebanon, particularly in areas under its control, and allegations of illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering, to finance its operations.

Influence on Lebanese Politics

Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon’s political system is complex. Though it participates in the government and holds parliamentary seats, its military wing operates independently of the Lebanese Armed Forces, effectively making it a “state within a state.” Its political influence is a contentious issue, with critics arguing that Hezbollah’s military presence undermines Lebanese sovereignty, while its supporters claim it acts as a necessary deterrent against Israeli aggression.

Current Status and Challenges

Today, Hezbollah faces several challenges:

1. Israel Conflict: Ongoing hostilities with Israel have led to targeted assassinations and military strikes against Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure.

2. Internal Lebanese Divisions: Hezbollah’s influence has led to divisions within Lebanese politics, where factions disagree on the group’s role in Lebanon’s future.
3. Regional Tensions: Hezbollah’s close ties with Iran have placed it at odds with Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-majority countries, affecting Lebanon’s relations with the broader Arab world.

4. Domestic Pressures: Economic hardships and growing public frustration within Lebanon, partly fueled by Hezbollah’s military engagements and control of resources, are challenging its support base.