Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah and Lebanon (June 23 – 30, 2025)
IDF forces attacked Hezbollah facilities and eliminated organization operatives as part of ongoing actions targeting Hezbollah's presence in south Lebanon, contrary to the understandings of the ceasefire agreement and foiling the organization's attempts to rebuild its military capabilities. The IDF attacked a fire- and defense-management complex which Hezbollah was rebuilding at the Beaufort Ridge and eliminated a foreign currency exchange owner who was transferring funds to Hezbollah from Iran; Hezbollah continued to demand that the Lebanese leadership increase pressure on Israel to stop the attacks and withdraw from the five points in south Lebanon, warning that the organization's patience could end. Hezbollah secretary general Qassem stated the organization was capable of "expelling" the IDF from south Lebanon; Despite the continued condemnations by the Lebanese leadership after the Israeli attacks, the Lebanese foreign minister admitted that the statements were meaningless; Deodato Abnagara, the new UNIFIL commander, took office and met with Lebanese President Aoun, who said it was necessary for UNIFIL to cooperate with the Lebanese army to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701; Hezbollah promoted Iran's "victory" narrative after the ceasefire in the Israel-Iran War. According to reports, the death of Muhammad Saeed Izadi, the head of the Palestine branch of the Qods Force, caused Hezbollah to stop payments to Lebanese whose homes were damaged in the fighting against Israel; Following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, discussions within the Lebanese leadership accelerated ahead of the first government meeting on disarming Hezbollah. Hezbollah allies, including the Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, called on the organization to give up its weapons, but Hezbollah continues to resist; Lebanese authorities announced they had seized $7 million in cash in suitcases which had arrived on a flight from an African country to Beirut International Airport.
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