Tag Archives: hezbollah



Hezbollah vs Israel flag

Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: June 16–22, 2025

Israel continued its operations in Lebanon between June 16 and June 22, 2025. The activities included several targeted assassinations of Hezbollah operatives and commanders, several airstrikes on Hezbollah assets, and one Israeli naval operation against one of the group’s outposts in south Lebanon.













Port of Beirut

Iran reportedly smuggling weapons to Hezbollah via Beirut port

A “Western security source” told Al Arabiya that Hezbollah is using the Port of Beirut to smuggle weapons into Lebanon from Iran. In early March, Israel assassinated a Hezbollah commander in charge of maritime weapons smuggling, saying his activities had continued after the November 27 Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.


Hezbollah vs Israel flag

Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: March 31–April 6

Israel continued operations in Lebanon between March 31 and April 6, 2025, though there was a noticeable drop in number and intensity. However, Israel conducted two targeted killings in Lebanon: one in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood killed a Hezbollah commander and operative, and another in Sidon killed a Hamas commander and operative.




Logan International Airport

Analysis: A deported Brown University professor’s Hezbollah ties

Dr. Racha Alawieh, a Brown University physician in the US on a visa, was denied re-entry into the country after returning from Lebanon. A central question is whether Alawieh’s entry was blocked for her exercising First Amendment rights or whether her family’s close links to Hezbollah jeopardized her visa. If the latter justification survives judicial review, the precedent may give US authorities a tool to disrupt Hezbollah’s influence and illicit finance operations in the United States.



Hezbollah vs Israel flag

Israeli airstrikes target Hezbollah assets and personnel in south Lebanon

Israel conducted two sets of airstrikes in south Lebanon on March 11 that targeted Hezbollah operatives. The first targeted a senior Hezbollah aerial defense operative, whose fate remains unknown. The second set of strikes targeted Hezbollah members in south Lebanon. Hezbollah-affiliated media announced two of the group’s fighters were killed.



Mohammed Shia al Sudani

After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov

On March 5, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al Araji said that Baghdad is trying to locate kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen who was abducted in March 2023. Israeli officials have blamed Kataib Hezbollah for kidnapping Tsurkov, and her case has received increased attention in the last two months since the Trump administration entered office.


Khodr Said Hashem Hezbollah martyrdom notice

Israel assassinates commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force’s seaborne forces

Israel assassinated Khodr Hashem, the commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force’s seaborn forces, in south Lebanon. Hashem was involved in armed activities and maritime weapons smuggling to Hezbollah before and after the November 27, 2024, Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement, activities which constituted a violation of the deal.


Khamenei propaganda

Analysis: Is Iran poising itself for escalation with Israel?

Recent statements by Islamic Republic officials indicate Tehran’s staunch commitment to rebuilding Hezbollah’s capabilities and achieving “final victory.” These threats may signal a renewed escalation in the region after Israel’s crippling blow to Iran’s missile arsenal and the collapse of the Islamic Republic’s Syrian ally.


Falih al Fyyadh at Nasrallah's funeral

Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders gather in Lebanon for Hezbollah leader’s funeral

Falih al Fayyadh, the head of Iraq’s largely pro-Iranian Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), traveled to Beirut for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on February 23. Other senior members of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also attended the funeral, and several militia leaders put out statements. Hezbollah-affiliated media claimed approximately 200,000 Iraqis came to Lebanon for the event, though this number is unverified.


Halevi meets with Israeli hostages

Gaza ceasefire faces new hurdles as Hamas releases bodies of slain hostages, only 3 of 4 identified

On February 20, Hamas released four caskets ostensibly carrying the remains of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, but one contained the body of a Palestinian woman. Israel has condemned this as a violation of the ceasefire that began in January. Separately, the IDF redeployed an experienced division that served in Gaza and carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah on the Syria-Lebanon border.


Qassem speech February 2025

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem’s “Martyr Leaders Day” speech

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered a speech on February 16 addressing regional and domestic developments, Beirut banning Iranian flights from landing at Hariri International Airport, and Nasrallah’s upcoming funeral. Qassem called for massive participation in the funeral to deter Hezbollah’s domestic political opponents from targeting the group or its weapons.



Naim Qassem

Analysis: Naim Qassem’s most defiant speech yet as Hezbollah secretary-general

On January 27, Naim Qassem insisted Hezbollah had emerged from the fight with Israel victorious, despite painful and unprecedented setbacks, and was unwilling to concede the group’s domestic position. Qassem also expressed Hezbollah’s satisfaction with Lebanon’s post-war political direction and said his group had a productive and positive relationship with Lebanon’s new president and prime minister-designate.