This Image Shows Iranian Official, Not Hezbollah Leader Who Fled to Israel
The Claim
A senior Hezbollah official, telecommunications engineer Hussein Pasha, who is also the Director-General of Media and the party’s financial manager and a close associate of Hassan Nasrallah, has reportedly fled across the border to Israel.
News posted on
Emerging story
Recently, social media users have been circulating a photo claiming to show a Hezbollah leader named Hussein Pasha, who allegedly defected from the party and fled to Israel.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The photo depicts an Iranian official, not a Hezbollah leader named Hussein Pasha, who allegedly defected from the party and fled to Israel.
Iranian Official Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
The photo depicts Iranian official Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, currently the secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council. He previously served as the deputy minister of interior for security affairs. Additionally, he was appointed as a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and served as deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces for Basij Forces Affairs.
Outdated News: Hezbollah Leader’s Escape to Israel
Regarding the news about the defection of Hezbollah leader Hussein Pasha and his escape to Israel, this is old news first published by Arab media outlets in 2012. In October 2012, some websites reported that, according to an Israeli report, communications engineer Hussein Pasha, 29, crossed the border into Israel carrying money and documents he had stolen from Hezbollah.
Reports also stated that Pasha served as Hezbollah’s media operations director and that he had previously been arrested along with four other activists on charges of collaborating with Israel.
At the same time, Lebanese media reported that Hezbollah’s financial director had fled to Israel with money. The sources identified the official as Hassan Fahs but did not provide further details. Misbar was unable to verify the news from independent sources.
Hezbollah Announces Killing of Leader Ibrahim Qubaisi
Since Monday morning, the Israeli army has launched its most violent and extensive attack on Lebanon since the beginning of confrontations with Hezbollah, resulting in hundreds of casualties.
Hezbollah mourned its military commander, Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi, known as “Hajj Abu Musa,” at dawn on Wednesday, following Israel’s announcement of his assassination the previous day. The party stated in a message, “With great pride and honor, the Islamic Resistance announces the martyrdom of leader Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi.”
The Israeli army announced Tuesday evening the assassination of Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi, commander of Hezbollah's missile and shell system. In a statement, it said, “Warplanes, guided by the Intelligence Service, targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut and eliminated Ibrahim Muhammad Qubaisi.
Hezbollah Announces Failed Assassination Attempt on Ali Karaki
Hezbollah launched rocket barrages at Israeli military bases, airports, and several areas, including Galilee, Safed, and Haifa, amid the recent escalation of confrontations.
Hezbollah also announced the failure of an assassination attempt on military leader Ali Karaki during an Israeli raid on the southern suburb of Beirut. This followed an Israeli army radio report that quoted military sources saying the raid specifically targeted Karaki.
Read More
Old Video Falsely Shared as Destruction in Haifa Following Hezbollah Shelling
IRGC Deputy Commander Mohammad Fallahzadeh Was Not Killed in Recent Israeli Airstrike on Beirut
