By Ivor Bennettforeign correspondent

Hamas hailed the appointment of Naim Kassem as Hezbollah’s new leader as proof of the group’s recovery. In reality, it reflects their lack of options. Kassem is practically the only senior official left.

After helping to found Hezbollah in the early 1980s, the 71-year-old rose to the position of deputy leader in 1991, becoming one of the group’s most important clerics who guided its religious and ideological direction .

But he was always considered the eternal “number two”. An effective operator in a supporting role, but not an inspiring figurehead to lead the fight against Israel.

Many consider that he lacks charisma and personality in Lebanon. He is by no means the father figure that his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, was for some. Nor the inspiring speaker.

But Kassem was propelled to the highest position by force of circumstances.

After Nasrallah’s assassination in Beirut at the end of September, Hachem Safieddine was considered the most likely successor, despite Kassem’s superiority on paper. But he too was killed by an Israeli airstrike just two weeks later, as the IDF sought to decapitate Hezbollah leaders.

The attack on Safieddine came after speculation spread that he was next in line. It appears that Hezbollah was more cautious this time around Kassem.

He reportedly fled Beirut for Tehran earlier this month, and left Lebanon aboard the Iranian foreign minister’s plane after his visit to the country.

Last month, Kassem made three televised speeches. One of them was a rallying cry in the aftermath of Nasrallah’s death – promising Hezbollah supporters that they would continue to fight.

The second, on the other hand, on October 8, was more conciliatory. He said the armed group supported efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon.

And that perhaps hints at something: In Kassem’s hands, Iran’s powerful proxy may take a more cautious approach. Some think that this could be the case, simply because Kassem does not have the courage to pursue a more pugnacious policy.

What’s more, Kassem is already a known face. Since the start of the conflict with Israel last October, he has been one of Hezbollah’s main spokespersons, granting interviews to regional and foreign media.

He is not a military commander who operates in the shadows, like those Israel targets. Quite the contrary: he has been at the forefront, and that could be an important distinction.

For now, however, Israel remains cautious, warning that if Kassem follows in Nasrallah’s footsteps, his mandate will be “the shortest in (Hezbollah’s) history.”