The loss of Nasrallah’s rumoured successor would be yet another blow to Hezbollah and its patron Iran. Israeli strikes across the region in the past year, sharply accelerated in the past few weeks, have decimated Hezbollah’s leadership.

Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine is presumed dead following Israeli strikes targeting the group's intelligence headquarters in Beirut. Reports suggest he was killed during an IDF attack, while Iranian commander Esmail Ghaani was injured.

Israel conducted a targeted strike in Beirut on Wednesday night local time against the head of Hezbollah's executive committee Hashim Safi al-Din, three Israeli officials said. Why it matters: Safi al-Din is the leading figure to succeed Hassan Nasrallah as Hezbollah's leader.