The death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in airstrikes in a Beirut suburb has shifted attention to Hashem Safieddine, who is widely seen as his successor. The Iran-backed organization confirmed Nasrallah’s death, marking a significant moment as the group confronts the task of selecting a new leader following the most intense assault it has experienced in its 42-year existence.

Here are some key details about Safieddine, who, according to a source within the group, survived the Israeli strikes:

* As the head of the executive council, Safieddine is responsible for overseeing Hezbollah’s political activities. He is also a member of the Jihad Council, which directs the group’s military strategies.
* Safieddine is a cousin of Nasrallah and, like him, is a cleric recognized by the black turban that signifies descent from the Prophet Mohammed.
* In 2017, the U.S. State Department designated him as a terrorist, and in June, he issued a warning of significant retaliation against Israel following the death of another Hezbollah commander, stating, “Let (the enemy) prepare himself to cry and wail,” during the funeral.
* His public remarks frequently echo Hezbollah’s militant ideology and its support for the Palestinian cause. At a recent gathering in Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, he expressed solidarity with Palestinian fighters by stating, “Our history, our guns and our rockets are with you.”
* Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iran-backed Shiite militias, noted that Nasrallah had been grooming Safieddine for various roles within Hezbollah, some of which were less visible than others, allowing him to engage with the public.
* Safieddine’s familial connections, physical resemblance to Nasrallah, and his religious lineage as a descendant of Mohammed are all advantageous factors in his potential leadership.

* Nasrallah has begun to assign roles to him across various councils within Lebanese Hezbollah, some of which are less transparent than others. “They have facilitated his appearances and speeches,” noted Phillip Smyth, an expert on Iran-backed Shiite militias.

* Safieddine benefits from familial connections and a physical similarity to Nasrallah, along with his religious heritage as a descendant of Mohammed, which enhances his standing.

* He has also openly criticized U.S. policies. In 2017, in reaction to American pressure on Hezbollah, he remarked, “This mentally impaired, irrational U.S. administration led by Trump will not be able to undermine the resistance,” claiming that such actions would only fortify Hezbollah’s determination.