Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah and Lebanon (March 31 – April 8, 2025)

Overview^[1]

• IDF forces continued operations against Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its military-terrorist capabilities and against the organization’s presence in south Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire agreement, eliminating field commanders and operatives. A Hezbollah operative and a member of the Iranian Qods Force who assisted Hamas in planning an attack against Israelis were eliminated in an attack in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia in Beirut and a senior Hamas commander was eliminated in an attack in Sidon.
• Hezbollah demanded that Lebanese state institutions take action against the “Israeli violations” and warned that the “resistance”^[2] was ready to use all its means available. Lebanese government officials condemned Israel and accused it of violating the ceasefire and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
• Senior Lebanese officials met with Morgan Ortagus, the United States deputy special envoy to the Middle East and discussed implementing the ceasefire, disarming Hezbollah and economic reforms. Ortagus said Lebanon had to act with the United States to disarm Hezbollah and end corruption, warning Lebanon it was the country’s “last opportunity.”
• The Lebanese army expanded its operations against Hezbollah facilities in south Lebanon and continued its investigation of the two rockets fired at Israel at the end of March 2025.
• The Lebanese minister of transportation confirmed that attempts to smuggle funds to Hezbollah through Beirut International Airport had been foiled and there was no date for resuming flights from Iran. The security clearances of Hezbollah supporters working at the airport were reportedly revoked. Hezbollah has reportedly begun smuggling weapons by sea to the Port of Beirut.
• Three Hezbollah operatives suspected of procuring materials to build UAVs were arrested in Spain. London police arrested two suspects for membership in Hezbollah.

The Ceasefire

The IDF

• The IDF continued operations against Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon; the organization violated the ceasefire agreement prohibiting its presence south of the Litani River. Two Hezbollah operatives attempting to reconstruct the organization in the Zibqin area were eliminated, as was the commander of Hezbollah’s artillery array in the town of al-Taybeh (IDF spokesperson, March 31–April 8, 2025). Lebanese media reported two fatalities in an attack on a bulldozer in the town of Zibqin (al-Nashra, April 6, 2025). The Lebanese ministry of health accused Israel of attacking two ambulances, a firetruck and a health center in al-Naqoura, and called on the international community not to ignore “the aggression” (Lebanese ministry of health X account, April 3, 2025). According to reports, two Syrians were killed and a Lebanese citizen injured in an attack on a vehicle and motorcycle in the town of al-Khiam (South Lebanon – Watching the Enemy Telegram channel, April 7, 2025).
• On April 1, 2025, the IDF eliminated Hassan Ali Mahmoud Badir in an attack in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia in Beirut. Badir was a senior operative in Hezbollah’s Unit 3900 and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Qods Force, responsible for coordination with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations. According to the IDF, Badir was helping Hamas plan an imminent significant attack on Israeli civilians (IDF spokesperson, April 1, 2025). The Lebanese ministry of health reported four deaths and seven injuries in the Beirut attack (al-Nashra, April 1, 2025). Hezbollah confirmed that Badir and his son, Ali Hassan Badir, who was also an operative in the organization, were killed (al-‘Ahed, April 1, 2025).

     
Right: The building attacked in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia, Beirut (al-Manar, April 1, 2025). Left: Hezbollah mourning notice for Hassan Ali Badir and his son Ali (South Lebanon – Watching the Enemy Telegram channel, April 1, 2025)

• On April 4, 2025, the IDF eliminated Hassan Ahmad Farhat, the commander of Hamas’ western sector in south Lebanon, in an attack in Sidon. The IDF reported Farhat had been responsible for promoting terrorist activity against IDF forces and Israeli civilians during and after the war, including a rocket attack on Safed which killed an IDF soldier in February 2024 (IDF spokesperson, April 3, 2025). The Lebanese ministry of health reported three deaths in the attack on an apartment in Sidon (al-Nashra, April 4, 2025). Hamas’ military-terrorist wing confirmed that Farhat was killed along with his daughter and son, the latter also a member of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades Telegram channel, April 4, 2025).

Hezbollah

• Hezbollah condemned the IDF strikes in Lebanon, particularly those in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia and Sidon, but reiterated its position that the institutions of the Lebanese state should lead the “resistance” against the Israel’s continuing attacks on Lebanese territory and against the presence of IDF forces at five points in south Lebanon. They warned that the “resistance” remained prepared to act against Israel if the state did not fulfill its role:
  • Ibrahim al-Mousawi, a member of the Hezbollah faction in the Lebanese Parliament, called the Israeli strike in the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia “a major act of aggression that takes the situation to an entirely different level.” He blamed the international community and the United States for the “crime” and called on the Lebanese government not to make do with condemnations but to summon the ambassadors of the “major countries.” Al-Mousawi added that the organization remained committed to the agreement and the Lebanese state now had an “opportunity” in light of the “violations.” He said Hezbollah did not want war, and when the state declared that “the enemy” had violated the agreement, it had to use diplomatic means to reach a resolution (al-Mayadeen, April 1, 2025).
  • Hussein Jishi, a member of the Hezbollah faction in the Lebanese Parliament, called on the president of Lebanon, the government and the state institutions to meet their obligations and protect the Lebanese people. Jishi noted their avowed commitment to building a strong state capable of defending its citizens and said that when the state was unable to do so, the people and the “resistance” had the right to use “all available means” to defend themselves. He added that although several months had passed, no positive impact of diplomatic efforts to halt the “enemy’s daily aggression” had been seen (Lebanese News Agency, April 2, 2025).
• Mahmoud Qomati, deputy head of Hezbollah’s Political Council, said the “occupation” had failed to achieve its goals because of the “steadfastness of the resistance.” He claimed Israel did not respect international law and continued to violate the ceasefire in Lebanon. He claimed Hezbollah employed a policy of “restraint” in the face of “Israeli violations” to expose the “occupation” to the world, and demanded that the Lebanese state “fulfill its duty through diplomatic pressure.” He added that Hezbollah did not want to escalate the fighting or be dragged into war but claimed “the resistance is ready” (Al Jazeera, April 2, 2025).
  • Hassan Hoballah, Hezbollah figure responsible for relations with the Palestinians, condemned the Israeli attack on in Sidon, calling it a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701. He claimed the ceasefire’s sponsors, especially the United States were “silent in the face of the violations,” and the Lebanese government had to take full national responsibility and act to stop “the ongoing aggression” (Hezbollah media file, Simia, April 4, 2025).
  • Hezbollah claimed that the “barbaric American-Israeli aggression” against Syria, Yemen, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon was a continuation of the war waged by the [so-called] “axis of evil” against the peoples of the Middle East. Hezbollah added that the objective of the attacks was “to weaken the people and their support for the Palestinian people, and to break the spirit and activity of the resistance.” Hezbollah said “everyone” had to unite and act together to deal with the situation. “The equation is clear, either we confront the enemy, or we surrender to their schemes” (Hezbollah combat information Telegram channel, April 3, 2025).
  • At a funeral held for 36 of Hezbollah operatives and civilians in the village of Houla, Ali Fayyad, a member of the Hezbollah faction in the Lebanese Parliament, said that pressure on Lebanon was growing as Israel employed “aggression and brutality,” while the United States used threats and harassment through envoys to resume war if its “demands” were not met (al-‘Ahed, April 4, 2025). Speaking in the town of Adaisseh at a funeral for other Hezbollah operatives, Fayyad said a unified Lebanese stance was important, “there is no surrender, no acceptance and no normalization.” He claimed “the enemy” was trying to drag Lebanon into another war through provocations and escalation, adding that the solution included the withdrawal of “the enemy” and cessation of “aggression,” along with Lebanon’s full commitment to Resolution 1701 (al- Akhbar, April 6, 2025).

The Lebanese government

• Lebanese leaders condemned the Israeli attack on the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia and called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to cease its attacks and “violations” of Lebanese sovereignty:
  • Lebanese President Joseph Aoun claimed Israeli “aggression” was forcing Lebanon to turn to its “friends around the world” to enlist support for the country’s sovereignty. He said any violation of sovereignty from outside or from “internal infiltrators who provide a pretext for further aggression” had to be prevented, and pledged to work with the government for the “salvation of Lebanon” (Lebanese Presidential Office X account, April 1, 2025).
  • Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the strike on the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia was a “blatant violation” of UN Resolution 1701, which relates to Lebanon’s sovereignty. He said he was monitoring the “aggression” with the defense and interior ministers (al-Nashra, April 1, 2025). Following the attack on Sidon, he said that an attack anywhere in Lebanon was an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. He noted the need to “exert pressure on Israel to force it to stop its ongoing attacks, especially in residential areas” (al-Nashra, April 4, 2025).
  • Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, condemned the “treacherous Zionist attack” on the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia, calling it an “act of aggression” against Lebanon and Beirut, following more than 2,000 [alleged] Israeli “violations” of the ceasefire and Resolution 1701. He claimed it was an Israeli attempt to “kill” and dismantle the resolution, which Lebanon fully abided by. He said that the [alleged] “Israeli crimes” were an urgent call for the agreement’s guarantor states to meet their obligations and compel the “Israeli entity” to halt its attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from its territory (al-Nashra, April 1, 2025).
• On April 5, 2025 Morgan Ortagus, American deputy special envoy for the Middle East, arrived in Lebanon and met with officials and political leaders to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire, the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south, the disarmament of Hezbollah and necessary economic reforms to ensure the flow of international reconstruction funds. Ortagus reportedly warned Lebanon that it had its “last opportunity before escalation” and had to take it (al-Jadeed, December 5, 2024; MTV, April 5, 2025):
  • She met with President Joseph Aoun to discuss the situation in south Lebanon and along the Lebanon–Syria border, as well as economic reforms to combat corruption. The meeting was described as “positive” (Lebanese Presidency X account and al-Mayadeen, April 5, 2025).
  • She met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss measures taken by the Lebanese army to implement Resolution 1701 and the security arrangements in south Lebanon. They also discussed financial and economic reform and developments along the Lebanon–Syria border, with an emphasis on full border control and the prevention of tension and chaos (Lebanese News Agency, April 5, 2025).

• • She met with Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament to discuss the Israeli “violations and threats” against Lebanon, which Berri claimed cause daily casualties and violated both the ceasefire agreement and UN Resolution 1701. They also discussed necessary economic and administrative reforms. Berri described the meeting as “positive and constructive” (Lebanese National News Agency, April 5, 2025).
  • She met with Samir Geagea, Lebanese Forces party leader, to discuss the need to disarm Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, maintain control over the Syria–Lebanon border and ensure the completion of Israel’s withdrawal from south Lebanese territories (Lebanese National News Agency, April 5, 2025).
  • According to reports, Ortagus was very firm in her meetings with senior Lebanese officials regarding the recent rocket fire into Israel, stressing that Israel would not tolerate it. A “diplomatic source” said she had made it clear that delays in fulfilling commitments were not in Lebanon’s interest, and that the window of opportunity which had opened would not remain open indefinitely (Nidaa al-Watan, April 7, 2025).
  • Interviewed by Lebanese TV, she said the Lebanese leadership and people had to choose whether or not to cooperate with the United States to disarm Hezbollah, cease hostilities and end corruption in Lebanon. If that was their decision, the Americans would be partners and allies, and close cooperation could be expected. However, if the Lebanese government and leadership stalled or rejected cooperation, they should not expect partnership with the United States (LBC, April 6, 2025).
  • President Joseph Aoun also met with a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) led by Edward Gabriel, which called for the rapid disarmament of Hezbollah and the implementation of reforms required to secure financial aid. Aoun said disarmament and reforms were Lebanese demands, just as they were international and American demands, and affirmed his full commitment. He also urged the United States to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five disputed points it “occupies,” warning that Israel’s continued presence “will only further complicate the situation.” Asked about disarming Hezbollah, he noted the importance of dialogue, as outlined in his inaugural speech in January 2025. After the delegation met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Gabriel said they had encouraging feedback from both Aoun and Salam, who both recognized the need to solidify the ceasefire and begin negotiations on border demarcation (al-Jadeed, April 7, 2025).

The Lebanese army

• Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces entered Hezbollah facilities and camps in the area of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, near the Litani River and about 10 kms northwest of Metula, where rocket launchers were reportedly discovered. The site is considered one of Hezbollah’s largest weapons storage and production centers and is strategically located on a route leading to the western Beqa’a region. The area has reportedly been targeted by 200 Israeli airstrikes since October 2023 and has been used to fire rockets at Israel. It remains unclear whether the Lebanese army’s operation was conducted with Hezbollah’s consent (Janoubia, March 31, 2025).

• The Lebanese army reported that its engineering units had removed newly placed dirt barriers erected by the IDF near Adaisseh in south Lebanon. Israeli forces reportedly fired warning shots to pressure the Lebanese army to withdraw, but the work continued (Lebanese army X account, April 1, 2025).

• United States senators warned the Lebanese army to accelerate implementing the ceasefire and said the slow pace of enforcement was frustrating. They claimed the Lebanese army had influence over Hezbollah and the Lebanese people could break Iran’s stranglehold on Beirut. The White House reportedly said the United States would judge the Lebanese government based on its actions against Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities to prevent a war with Israel or Lebanon’s neighbors (al-Arabiya, April 2, 2025).
• On the morning of April 8, 2025, the Lebanese army reportedly prevented a rocket from being fired from the al-Maaliyeh area near Tyre (al-Nashra, April 8, 2025). However, a different source claimed two old rockets had been found in an orchard near the town of al-Qulaila and that they were not mounted on launchers (al-Nahar, April 8, 2025).
• Meanwhile, Lebanese security forces continued investigating the rocket fire into Israel on March 22 and 28, 2025:
  • Six suspects were arrested: two Syrian refugees, two Palestinians, and two Lebanese, after they were captured on surveillance cameras near the launch site. Palestinian elements are believed to be behind the launches, though the investigation is ongoing (MTV, March 31, 2025). Later, it was reported that ten suspects had been detained, with some released after proving no connection to the rocket fire (al-Akhbar, April 4, 2025).
  • Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri accused Israel of daily violating the “cessation of hostilities agreement,” but also acknowledged that “groups”^[3] in Lebanon attacked Israeli positions, providing Israel with a “pretext” to continue the war. He reiterated President Aoun’s claim that available intelligence indicated Hezbollah was not responsible for the rocket fire (al-Ghad, March 31, 2025).
  • Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, claimed the rocket fire had “Israeli fingerprints,” calling it “aggression” against Lebanon, not a “routine breach” of UN Resolution 1701. He argued it was an Israeli attempt to sabotage the Resolution and called on the ceasefire guarantor countries to fulfill their obligations and halt Israel’s attacks on Lebanon (MTV, April 1, 2025).
  • The Supreme Islamic Shi’ite Council in Lebanon stated that anyone found to be involved in or linked to the rocket fire from south Lebanon was damaging internal stability. According to the statement, the rockets were fired by “unidentified persons” seeking to violate Resolution 1701 and provoke Israeli reprisals. The council stressed the need for an urgent, serious investigation, since the perpetrators aimed to “destabilize internal security, ignite a new war and undermine diplomatic efforts with international actors” (al-‘Ahed, April 2, 2025).
  • According to reports, the investigations found no connection to Hezbollah. However, “multiple sources” pointed to possible involvement by the al-Fajr Forces, the military-terrorist wing of the Sunni al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and known to be close to Hamas. In response, al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya issued a denial, rejecting the claims as an attempt to “smear our jihadist legacy.” They affirmed their commitment to the ceasefire (Lebanon Debate, April 2, 2025).
  • It was also reported that the Lebanese army increased its patrols in the Yaghmour al-Shqif area in south Lebanon to prevent potential rocket fire at Israel. Intelligence efforts by Lebanese security services were also increased to identify those responsible for the March 22 and 28 rocket attacks. “Lebanese sources” said the perpetrators had not yet been identified, but it was known that did not come from south Lebanon (al-Akhbar, April 4, 2025).

UNIFIL

• Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, UN special coordinator for Lebanon, condemned the Israeli attack on the Dahiyeh al-Janoubia. She claimed that “while the Lebanese government is taking positive steps, further escalation is the last thing we need.” She added that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 remained the only practical path forward (Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert’s X account, April 1, 2025).

Hezbollah

Disarming Hezbollah

• Shi’ite Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan, regarded as the highest religious authority among Shi’ites in Lebanon, warned against disarming Hezbollah, amid calls by the country’s new government to concentrate weapons in the hands of the state’s security forces and growing international pressure to dismantle Hezbollah’s military-terrorist capabilities. In his Eid al-Fitr sermon, Qabalan claimed “the weapon that restored Lebanon is the holiest of all weapons,” emphasizing that giving it up would be “a most dangerous event which would harm Lebanon, its political regime and its very existence.” He said the Shi’ites had paid the highest price in Lebanon’s history and were now “among ruins.” He called efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal “playing with fire,” claiming “the mistake regarding the resistance’s weapons is bigger than Lebanon and the region,” and that “we have nothing left to lose.” He also rejected the possibility of normalization with Israel, stating that no external party could impose anything on them (al-Akhbar, March 31, 2025).
• Tarek Mitri, deputy prime minister of Lebanon, said the government’s founding guidelines made clear that the state had to have a monopoly on weapons and it had a duty to impose its sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, the position, he said, was non-negotiable. He said the security forces were completing their deployment in south Lebanon to assert state control and were expected to continue the process across the entire country (al-Ghad, March 31, 2025).

Challenges for Hezbollah’s regrouping

• Fayez Rassamani, Lebanon’s minister of transportation, confirmed that several attempts to smuggle funds to Hezbollah through Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport were thwarted. He said airport security, headed by an army colonel, was responsible, adding that the airport was fully under state control. However, he also claimed nothing was smuggled through the airport since everything entering or leaving Lebanon was “thoroughly inspected.” Regarding the ongoing suspension of flights from Iran since mid-February 2025, he said it remained in effect and were are no negotiations with the Iranians on the matter (al-Hadath, March 31, 2025).
• According to reports, Lebanese authorities have begun revoking the security clearances of employees at the airport who are affiliated with Hezbollah. More than 30 employees were notified that their permits had expired and would not be renewed. They included baggage handlers, staff in the baggage screening department and personnel in lost-and-found. Reportedly, “Hezbollah’s eyes and ears at the airport,” which had provided the organization with intelligence on passenger movement, were no longer in place (al-Sharq al-Awsat, April 4, 2025).
• Given the blow struck to Hezbollah’s ability to conduct smuggling operations via air and land, a “Western security source” reported that the organization was now working to smuggle weapons into Lebanon by sea. According to the source, Hezbollah effectively controls the Port of Beirut through a network of collaborators in customs and monitoring agencies, operated by Wafiq Safa, head of Hezbollah’s liaison and coordination unit, to smuggle equipment, arms and funds without oversight. The source added that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps’ Qods Force was facilitating the maritime smuggling efforts, either directly or via third countries, using Unit 190 and Unit 700 (al-Hadath, April 8, 2025).
• Meanwhile, social media posts claimed that the mayor of Sidon, Hazem Badih, had ordered the closure of the local branch of al-Qard al-Hassan, Hezbollah’s financial arm. In response, the municipality issued a statement denying the reports, claiming the branch had only temporarily relocated and would return to the al-Zaatari Building after renovating the damage caused by the “Israeli aggression” (Lebanese National News Agency, April 2, 2025).

Reconstructing Lebanon

• The al-Qard al-Hassan Association announced the completion of the first phase of compensation payments for shelter and reconstruction to those affected by the war. According  to the association, 75% of the total estimated compensation has already been distributed, and preparations are now underway for the second phase (al-Jadeed, March 31, 2025).
• Hussein Khair al-Din, head of Jihad al-Bina, Hezbollah’s construction arm, stated that immediately following the ceasefire at the end of November 2024, 27 centers were established across Lebanon to assess damage. He said around 1,500 engineers, clerks and workers had been operating in all areas, except for villages on or near the border. He reported that 330,000 housing units with minor damage were surveyed to determine the scope of the destruction and corresponding compensation, about half of which are located south of the Litani River, and that 306,000 units had already been dealt with. Regarding the government’s role, Khair al-Din said it was responsible for reconstruction, the removal of debris and rebuilding, but claimed it only removed rubble while waiting to take action in other areas (al-Manar, April 1, 2025).

Hezbollah operatives arrested in Spain and Britian

• The Spanish security services arrested three men in Barcelona on suspicion of purchasing materials for manufacturing UAVs used by Hezbollah during the fighting against Israel. Searches were also conducted at the suspects’ homes and at the offices of Spanish companies involved in procuring the equipment for building the UAVs. The court ruled that one suspect would remain in custody while the other two were released under restrictive conditions (Spanish ministry of the interior, April 4, 2025). According to reports the raid was part of an investigation into operatives in Hezbollah’s logistics network, during which three suspects were arrested in July 2024 for procuring materials for the construction of Hezbollah suicide UAVs (elnacional.cat, April 1, 2025).

• The UK’s Counter Terrorism Command arrested two men suspected of having ties with Hezbollah. One of them, 39 years old, was arrested in northwest London and is suspected of membership in a proscribed terrorist organization, preparation of terrorist acts and involvement in financing terrorist activity. The other, 35 years old, was arrested in west London on suspicion of membership in a banned terrorist organization. However, the police said there was no immediate threat to public safety (London Police website, April 3, 2025).

The Lebanon-Syria Relations

• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held a phone conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss strengthening bilateral relations in several areas. Salam said he wanted to head a Lebanese delegation to visit Damascus to discuss mutual issues and enhance bilateral cooperation (Syrian Presidency Telegram channel, April 2, 2025).
• The Lebanese army said had seized a truck carrying weapons, ammunition, and drugs in the al-Sha’ab neighborhood of Ba’albek in the Beqa’a Valley, which is a Hezbollah stronghold. A Lebanese citizen was arrested in the Younine area of Ba’albek for possession of military-grade weapons and ammunition, and a Lebanese and a Syrian citizen were arrested in the al-Taybeh area of Ba’albek for firing weapons and possessing military-grade arms and ammunition. The detainees were transferred for investigation and the weapons were confiscated (al-Nahar, April 4, 2025).
• Rodolph Haykal, commander of the Lebanese army, toured the Syria-Lebanon border. He noted the role of the Lebanese army in protecting Lebanon and its people, adding that the army was fighting smuggling and playing a constructive role on the border in continuous coordination with Syrian authorities. He also called Israel “Lebanon’s number one enemy,” accusing it of “continued violations” of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the security of its citizens (Lebanese army X account, April 5, 2025).

^[1] Click https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en to subscribe and receive the ITIC's daily updates as well as its other publications.
^[2] Hezbollah and the Palestinian terrorist organizations operating in Lebanon.
^[3] Terrorist squads.

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