Report: Hezbollah appoints Mohammed Raed as new deputy leader

Hezbollah's new deputy leader's son, Abbas, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beit Yahoun, southern Lebanon, in November 2023, shortly after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated.

Mohammed Raed has been a controversial figure, particularly since the United States imposed sanctions on him in July 2019, citing his ties to Hezbollah and his involvement in supporting terrorist activities. In June 2023, Raed faced criticism after he publicly rebuked Lebanese citizens who were enjoying leisure activities, such as going to the beach and nightclubs, while southern Lebanon was under attack. This sparked a response from Lebanese parliamentarian Pierre Bou Assi, who criticized Raed for his policies and questioned the efficacy of Hezbollah's actions, asking, "Do you think your Iranian rockets will feed the people?"

This new leadership change comes amid ongoing tensions in Lebanon, as Hezbollah remains deeply involved in both regional and domestic conflicts.