Naim Qassem has held the position of Hezbollah secretary-general since his October 2024 appointment by the Shura Council, succeeding Hassan Nasrallah. As of mid-September 2026, he remains the incumbent and continues issuing public statements on Lebanese-Israeli talks, disarmament proposals, ceasefire compliance, and relations with Iran and Syria’s new authorities. Israeli officials previously described his tenure as likely temporary following targeted killings of prior leaders, while Lebanese political figures and religious authorities have pressed for Hezbollah’s disarmament and reduced Iranian influence. Trader positioning reflects ongoing risks of Israeli strikes, stalled Rome negotiations, internal Lebanese divisions over sovereignty and army deployment south of the Litani River, and Hezbollah’s rejection of frameworks linking withdrawal to weapons handover. No replacement or removal has occurred despite these pressures.