The newly appointed Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, has officially announced the funeral date for the former Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, and the head of the party’s Executive Council, Hashem Safi Al-Din. Both leaders were assassinated by Israeli airstrikes in separate attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs during the last aggression months ago.
In a speech, Naim Qassem declared that February 23 will be a public day of mourning and the official funeral date for Nasrallah and Safi Al-Din.
He stated that the official slogan for the funeral procession will be “We Remain Loyal to the Pledge”, revealing that Hashem Safi Al-Din will assume the title of Secretary-General of Hezbollah posthumously.
A Significant Revelation
Naim Qassem made a surprising disclosure regarding Hashem Safi Al-Din. He revealed that following the martyrdom of Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, Safi Al-Din was officially elected as the new Secretary-General of Hezbollah. However, just as preparations were being made to announce this leadership transition, Safi Al-Din was martyred on October 3.
Despite these profound losses, Qassem affirmed that Hezbollah remains steadfast and unwavering in its mission. “The flag of Hezbollah will continue to fly high, and we categorically reject submission to external influences, defeat, or surrender,” he declared.
Defiance Against Occupation
Naim Qassem further emphasized that Hezbollah stands firm in its principles and refuses to be cast out of history as some claim.
Regarding the situation in Southern Lebanon, Qassem asserted: “Israel has no place in South Lebanon, and everyone must understand that our sacrifices will ultimately lead to the liberation of our land.”
He stressed that popular resistance works in unison with armed jihadist resistance and the Lebanese army, emphasizing that “it is the resilient people, alongside their resistance and army, who have liberated Lebanon.”