Hashem Safieddine, reported by Israel as apparently killed in its confrontation with Hezbollah, is widely seen as Hassan Nasrallah's likely successor as head of the Iran-backed group. A relative of Nasrallah,

The fate of a possible successor to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is unclear following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. Hezbollah has lost contact with Hashem Safieddine since the strike, a Lebanese security source told CNN on Saturday.

A cousin and possible successor to Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader assassinated by Israel, Safieddine joined the group soon after it was formed and rose quickly up its ranks.