Mystery Surrounds the Fate of "Safi al-Din".. Hezbollah: Israel Obstructs Search for Him
Statements by Hezbollah officials about the difficulty of accessing the site of the raids reflect the extent of damage to the organization's infrastructure in the southern suburbs of Beirut
October 7, 2024, 2:26 am

هاشم صفي الدين

In the wake of Israeli raids on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday, uncertainty continues to surround the fate of Hashem Safi al-Din, one of the prominent leaders in Hezbollah. Mahmoud Qomati, a Hezbollah official, confirmed today, Sunday, that Israel is obstructing efforts to search for Safi al-Din, indicating that his fate remains unknown.

Speaking to Iraqi state television, Qomati pointed out that the process of choosing a new secretary-general for the organization may take time, raising questions about the internal situation of the party in the aftermath of the recent raids.

Media sources reported on Saturday that Safi al-Din was killed in the raid along with a number of his assistants, Iranian elements, and other field commanders from Hezbollah. These sources explained that the targeted site was deep underground.

For its part, Agence France-Presse quoted a senior Hezbollah source as saying that contact with Safi al-Din has been "cut off" since Friday. The source added: "We do not know if he was present at the location targeted by the raids, and who was with him."

Another source close to the party confirmed that the organization is trying to reach the targeted headquarters underground, but repeated Israeli raids are hindering rescue efforts. He indicated that Safi al-Din was accompanied by Hezbollah's intelligence chief known as Hajj Mortada.

It's worth noting that Hashem Safi al-Din holds the position of head of the Executive Council in Hezbollah. He is Hassan Nasrallah's cousin and is considered an important link between the party and Iran, as he has marriage ties with decision-makers in Tehran. The United States has classified him as a "foreign terrorist" since 2017.

Levant-Agencies

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
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Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.