Hezbollah media chief killed in Israeli airstrike

On November 17, Hezbollah announced the death of Hajj Mohammad Afif Al-Naboulsi, the head of its Media Relations Department, who was killed earlier in the day along with several others in an Israeli airstrike.

In a statement, the group mourned Afif as a prominent media and political figure, describing him as a "lion in the media arena" who boldly championed the Resistance's cause, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lebanese media.

Afif, known for his powerful speeches and unwavering stance, was a key figure in Hezbollah’s media strategy. He famously declared, "Resistance is a nation, and a nation never dies," challenging Israeli threats throughout his career. Hezbollah emphasized that Afif’s media influence was so profound that his words carried more weight than Israeli airstrikes, which failed to intimidate him.

Born in Al-Baysariya in the Sidon district, Afif was the son of the renowned Shiite scholar Afif Naboulsi. His career with Hezbollah’s media apparatus spanned decades, beginning with his role as the director of News and Political Programs at Al-Manar TV during the 2006 Lebanon War. He later served as the channel's General Director in its formative years before being appointed as the media advisor to former Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah. In 2014, he took on the role of head of the Party’s Media Relations Department.

Hezbollah's statement highlighted Afif’s bravery, noting his willingness to hold press conferences in Beirut’s Dahiyeh despite Israeli threats. His leadership in conveying Hezbollah’s messages during challenging times was celebrated as a cornerstone of the group's media strategy.

The statement also paid tribute to other martyrs who perished in the same airstrike and extended condolences to the Islamic Resistance fighters, the family of the deceased, and Hezbollah's leadership, including Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem.

Hezbollah honoured Afif as a symbol of resilience, stating that he remained steadfast in his mission until his last moments, embracing martyrdom in his journey towards Al-Quds. The loss of Mohammad Afif Al-Naboulsi marks a significant blow to Hezbollah's media operations, as he was one of the most influential voices in their media and political landscape.

By Khagan Isayev