Overview

Khaled Mohammad Kassem, also known as Jalal, is the deputy leader of Hezbollah’s External Security Organization (ESO), sometimes referred to as Unit 910 or the Islamic Jihad Organization. The ESO is Hezbollah’s military arm responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing terrorist attacks.“Lebanese Hezbollah,” Congressional Research Service, January 11, 2023, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10703. As ESO deputy leader, Kassem coordinates the group’s logistics and operations.“Khaled Kassem,” Stop 910, https://stop910.com/en/node/643.html. The ESO is known for carrying out the catastrophic terror attacks in Argentina in 1992 and 1994.Nicolas Pizzi, “Los jefes de la célula que planificó y ejecutó el atentado a la AMIA y el rol de Mohsen Rabbani,” Infobae, July 30, 2022, https://www.infobae.com/politica/2022/07/30/los-jefes-de-la-celula-que-planifico-y-ejecuto-el-atentado-a-la-amia-y-el-rol-de-mohsen-rabbani/.

Although born in Brazil, Kassem’s family is originally from western Beqaa, Lebanon. Khaled’s immediate family includes his father Mohammad Kassem, his mother, Fatima, and his wife, Najat Wehbi.Nicolas Pizzi, “Los jefes de la célula que planificó y ejecutó el atentado a la AMIA y el rol de Mohsen Rabbani,” Infobae, July 30, 2022, https://www.infobae.com/politica/2022/07/30/los-jefes-de-la-celula-que-planifico-y-ejecuto-el-atentado-a-la-amia-y-el-rol-de-mohsen-rabbani/.

Kassem reportedly served as field commander during two tragic terror attacks in Argentina in the 1990s.“Khaled Kassem,” Stop 910, https://stop910.com/en/node/643.html. Those attacks—which the national intelligence agency of Israel (Mossad) claims Iran approved, funded, and supplied training and equipment for—targeted Israelis and Jews in Buenos Aires.Ronen Bergman, “Mossad Sheds New Light on Argentina Terrorist Attacks in 1990s,” New York Times, July 25, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/world/middleeast/argentina-mossad-hezbollah-bombings.html. The first attack on March 17, 1992, involved a car explosion targeting the Israeli Embassy. The explosion killed 29 people and injured 250 others. The second attack was a suicide bombing that targeted the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) Jewish community center on July18, 1994. The explosion killed 86 and injured more than 100 others.Ronen Bergman, “Mossad Sheds New Light on Argentina Terrorist Attacks in 1990s,” New York Times, July 25, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/world/middleeast/argentina-mossad-hezbollah-bombings.html; Mitchell Bard, “Terrorism: Bombings in Argentina,” Jewish Virtual Library, https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/terrorist-bombings-in-argentina.

According to media sources, Kassem had orchestrated the 1994 attack from a “safe house” in Foz du Iguazu, Brazil.Nicolas Pizzi, “Los jefes de la célula que planificó y ejecutó el atentado a la AMIA y el rol de Mohsen Rabbani,” Infobae, July 30, 2022, https://www.infobae.com/politica/2022/07/30/los-jefes-de-la-celula-que-planifico-y-ejecuto-el-atentado-a-la-amia-y-el-rol-de-mohsen-rabbani/. Kassem also oversaw all communication throughout every stage of the attack, up until suicide bomber Ibrahim Berro’s last moments. Following the attack, Kassem was reportedly responsible for updating his commanders in Lebanon—the U.S.-designated leader of the ESO, Talal Hamiyah, and Imad Mughniyeh.“Khaled Kassem,” Stop 910, https://stop910.com/en/node/643.html; Nicolas Pizzi, “Los jefes de la célula que planificó y ejecutó el atentado a la AMIA y el rol de Mohsen Rabbani,” Infobae, July 30, 2022, https://www.infobae.com/politica/2022/07/30/los-jefes-de-la-celula-que-planifico-y-ejecuto-el-atentado-a-la-amia-y-el-rol-de-mohsen-rabbani/.

Kassem serves as deputy leader to Hamiyah,“Rewards for Justice – Reward Offer for Information on Hizballah Key Leaders Talal Hamiyah and Fu’ad Shukr,” U.S. Embassy in Egypt, October 10, 2017,  https://eg.usembassy.gov/rewards-justice-reward-offer-information-hizballah-key-leaders-talal-hamiyah-fuad-shukr/. where he directs operations and logistics that include running security checks, spotting, recruiting operatives, basic training, and appointing roles and functions within the organization. Kassem reportedly travels to and maintains high-level correspondence with partners in Iran, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF).“Khaled Kassem,” Stop 910, https://stop910.com/en/node/643.html. The IRGC-QF specializes in foreign missions, providing training, funding, and weapons to extremist groups, including Iraqi insurgents, Hezbollah, and Hamas.