Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem reportedly flees to Tehran as Israeli strikes claim key leaders

Qassem departed Lebanon on an Iranian aircraft approximately a week ago. (Image source: Reuters)

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, has reportedly fled Lebanon and is now residing in Tehran. This move comes as Israel intensifies its military operations against Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of several key leaders within the organization, including its chief, Hassan Nasrallah.

According to a report by UAE-based Erem News, an Iranian source revealed that Qassem departed Lebanon on an Iranian aircraft approximately a week ago. He was transported on the same plane that carried Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, following orders from the Islamic Republic's leadership amid concerns for his safety.

After Nasrallah's death, Qassem delivered three speeches, two of which were made from Beirut, while the third was recorded in Tehran.

As part of its ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, Israel has successfully targeted multiple high-ranking members of the group. The list of eliminated leaders includes:

• Fuad Shukr: Founding member of Hezbollah
• Hassan Nasrallah: Hezbollah chief
• Ali Karaki: Top commander
• Nabil Kaouk: Deputy head of the central council
• Mohammed Srur: Head of the drone unit
• Ibrahim Qubaisi: Head of the missile unit
• Ibrahim Aqil: Operations commander
• Mohammed Nasser: Senior commander

The Israeli military announced that it conducted an airstrike on a Hezbollah command center and underground weapons facility in Beirut on October 20. The Israeli Air Force confirmed that the strike targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, resulting in the deaths of three senior commanders: Alhaj Abbas Salameh, a significant figure in Hezbollah’s southern command; Radja Abbas Awache, a communications expert; and Ahmad Ali Hussein, who oversaw the group's strategic weapons development.