BEIRUT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah on Wednesday issued a statement mourning Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, who Israel said earlier was killed in an airstrike on Beirut three weeks ago.

Safieddine was killed in a bombing carried out by Israeli warplanes on Beirut's southern suburb, the Israeli military confirmed on Tuesday. The attack targeted a building where, according to Israel, Hezbollah's main underground intelligence headquarters were located.

Safieddine was a cousin of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. After Israel assassinated Nasrallah in September, Safieddine was widely presumed to be the successor.

Safieddine was also a member of the Shura Council, Hezbollah's highest military-political body, responsible for decision-making and setting the group's policies.

Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been launching intensive airstrikes on Lebanon in an escalation with Hezbollah.

Israel has been intensifying raids and shelling in southern and eastern regions of Lebanon, as well as Mount Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. In addition, Israel announced the launch of a ground operation near the border with southern Lebanon earlier this month. Enditem

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