Top Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine was killed in an Israeli airstrike. He was a strongman who rose through the ranks of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group over decades to become the second-most powerful person within the organization.

Hezbollah on Wednesday confirmed that Hashem Safieddine, a top official who was expected to be the next leader of the Lebanese militia and political party, was killed in Israeli airstrike, according to The Associated Press.

Hashem Safieddine, the top Hezbollah official widely expected to succeed slain secretary general Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli attack, the group said Wednesday.