Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hamadi, a senior Hezbollah leader, was killed in a drive-by shooting outside his residence in the Machghara area of Lebanon&rsquo;s western Bekaa district on Tuesday (Jan 21) night.
The assailants, reportedly driving two separate vehicles, shot Hamadi six times before fleeing the scene, as reported by the Times Of Israel.
<h2>Authorities launch investigation &nbsp;</h2>
Lebanese authorities have initiated a probe into the killing, with initial investigations pointing to a long-standing family feud.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<h2>Hamadi's controversial history &nbsp;</h2>
Hamadi was a fugitive with a notorious past, wanted by the FBI for his role in the 1985 hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 847. During the hijacking, 153 passengers and crew were held hostage, and an American citizen was tortured and killed. This placed Hamadi on the FBI&rsquo;s most-wanted list for decades. &nbsp;
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The killing of Hamadi comes just days before the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah expires on January 26. According to the agreement, Israel must pull out its troops from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah is to retreat north of the Litani River. &nbsp;
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The ceasefire, which was agreed upon on November 27, required Hezbollah to give up its weapons in southern Lebanon, and Israel was supposed to withdraw its forces within 60 days, handing over control to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers. &nbsp;
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However, Israel has only left two towns and continues airstrikes on Hezbollah positions, claiming the group is hiding weapons and attempting rocket launches to avoid their destruction.
(With inputs from agencies)

world | Middle East: Lebanese authorities have initiated a probe into the killing, with initial investigations pointing to a long-standing family feud. Officials have ruled out any political motive for the assassination. 

Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hamadi, a senior Hezbollah leader, was killed in a drive-by shooting outside his residence in the Machghara area of Lebanon’s western Bekaa district on Tuesday (Jan 21) night. The assailants, reportedly driving two separate vehicles, shot Hamadi six times before fleeing the scene, as reported by the Times Of Israel. Authorities launch investigation Lebanese authorities have initiated a probe into the killing, with initial investigations pointing to a long-standing family feud. Also Read | 'We were wrong that day': Convicted US Capitol rioter refuses Trump's pardon Hamadi's controversial history Hamadi was a fugitive with a notorious past, wanted by the FBI for his role in the 1985 hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 847. During the hijacking, 153 passengers and crew were held hostage, and an American citizen was tortured and killed. This placed Hamadi on the FBI’s most-wanted list for decades. Also Read | Prince Harry settles lawsuit against Murdoch's UK tabloids The killing of Hamadi comes just days before the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah expires on January 26. According to the agreement, Israel must pull out its troops from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah is to retreat north of the Litani River. Also Read | Trump administration working on second phase of Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal: Report The ceasefire, which was agreed upon on November 27, required Hezbollah to give up its weapons in southern Lebanon, and Israel was supposed to withdraw its forces within 60 days, handing over control to the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers. Also Read | ISRO captures before-and-after satellite images of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 site However, Israel has only left two towns and continues airstrikes on Hezbollah positions, claiming the group is hiding weapons and attempting rocket launches to avoid their destruction. (With inputs from agencies)

Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hamadi, top Hezbollah leader, shot dead in Lebanon: Reports

Israel on Tuesday (Oct 22) confirmed the killing of Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the heir apparent to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military in a statement said that Safieddine was killed three weeks ago in a strike in Beirut's southern neighbourhood. However, this is the first confirmation of his death, earlier the IDF&nbsp;said that Nasrallah's successor has probably been eliminated.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last month in an Israeli attack targeting the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:149,&quot;w&quot;:699,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1986}" data-ved="2ahUKEwigwI7jtKOJAxWyR2wGHfFrKboQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-killed-hashem-safieddine-idf-says-not-sure-even-as-netanyahu-claims-he-was-taken-out-765768" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-killed-hashem-safieddine-idf-says-not-sure-even-as-netanyahu-claims-he-was-taken-out-765768&amp;ved=2ahUKEwigwI7jtKOJAxWyR2wGHfFrKboQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Did Israel kill Hashem Safieddine? IDF unsure even as Netanyahu claims he was 'taken out'</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:202,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2039}">"Anyone who threatens the security…"</h2>

In a statement, Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said: "We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement and most of Hezbollah's senior leadership. We will reach anyone who threatens the security of the civilians of the State of Israel".

The confirmation of the Hezbollah leader's death comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while on a visit to the Middle East, pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to capitalise on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to secure the freedom of Oct 7 attack hostages, and bring an end to the war in Gaza.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:384,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2221}">Who was Sayyed Hashem Safieddine?</h2>

Sayyed Hashem Safieddine was a relative of Nasrallah. He was appointed to Hezbollah's Jihad Council, which is responsible for the group's military operations, and to the executive council — overseeing the militant group's financial and administrative affairs.

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He had&nbsp;been running the Iran-backed movement alongside its deputy secretary general Naim Qassem since Nasrallah's assassination by Israel on Sept. 27.

In 2017, the US&nbsp;State Department declared him a specially designated global terrorist.

During the past year, amid heightening hostilities with Israel,&nbsp;Safieddine had assumed a prominent role in the militant group Hezbollah. During this period he was seen&nbsp;addressing funerals and other events that Nasrallah had long avoided for security reasons.

In the aftermath of the Gaza war, which was ignited by Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 — and the triggering of a parallel conflict between Hezbollah and Israel — Hashem Safieddine was the first Hezbollah official to address the situation in a public statement.

Addressing&nbsp;a rally in Beirut's southern suburbs the day after the attack, he announced that Hezbollah's&nbsp;"guns and our rockets are with you (Hamas)… Everything&nbsp;we have is with you."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel on Tuesday (Oct 22) confirmed the killing of Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the heir apparent to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military in a statement said that Safieddine was killed three weeks ago in a strike in Beirut's southern neighbourhood.

Israel on Tuesday (Oct 22) confirmed the killing of Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the heir apparent to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military in a statement said that Safieddine was killed three weeks ago in a strike in Beirut's southern neighbourhood. However, this is the first confirmation of his death, earlier the IDF said that Nasrallah's successor has probably been eliminated. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed last month in an Israeli attack targeting the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group. Also read | Did Israel kill Hashem Safieddine? IDF unsure even as Netanyahu claims he was 'taken out' "Anyone who threatens the security…" In a statement, Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said: "We have reached Nasrallah, his replacement and most of Hezbollah's senior leadership. We will reach anyone who threatens the security of the civilians of the State of Israel". The confirmation of the Hezbollah leader's death comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while on a visit to the Middle East, pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to capitalise on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to secure the freedom of Oct 7 attack hostages, and bring an end to the war in Gaza. Who was Sayyed Hashem Safieddine? Sayyed Hashem Safieddine was a relative of Nasrallah. He was appointed to Hezbollah's Jihad Council, which is responsible for the group's military operations, and to the executive council — overseeing the militant group's financial and administrative affairs. Also read | Top Israeli commander killed in Gaza blast, three others wounded in Hamas offensive He had been running the Iran-backed movement alongside its deputy secretary general Naim Qassem since Nasrallah's assassination by Israel on Sept. 27. In 2017, the US State Department declared him a specially designated global terrorist. During the past year, amid heightening hostilities with Israel, Safieddine had assumed a prominent role in the militant group Hezbollah. During this period he was seen addressing funerals and other events that Nasrallah had long avoided for security reasons. In the aftermath of the Gaza war, which was ignited by Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 — and the triggering of a parallel conflict between Hezbollah and Israel — Hashem Safieddine was the first Hezbollah official to address the situation in a public statement. Addressing a rally in Beirut's southern suburbs the day after the attack, he announced that Hezbollah's "guns and our rockets are with you (Hamas)… Everything we have is with you." (With inputs from agencies)

West Asia crisis: Israel confirms death of Nasrallah's heir apparent Sayyed Hashem Safieddine

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Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hamadi, top Hezbollah leader, shot dead in Lebanon: Reports

West Asia crisis: Israel confirms death of Nasrallah's heir apparent Sayyed Hashem Safieddine