US Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Hezbollah Financier

 US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account
US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account
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US Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Hezbollah Financier

 US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account
US State Department Rewards for Justice Program Post via its Official Twitter Account

The United States on Monday offered a $10 million reward for information on a Hezbollah financier Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi for funneling money to the Lebanese party.

"Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi has funneled millions of dollars to the terrorist organization Hezbollah," a statement by the US State Department Rewards for Justice Program said on Twitter.

"If you have information on his financial operations, text us at the number below. You could be eligible for a reward," the statement added.

“Through his business activities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, he has provided millions of dollars in support to Hezbollah.”

In 2018, the US Department of the Treasury had listed Bazzi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

"Bazzi, who operates or transacts in or through Belgium, Lebanon, Iraq, and several countries in West Africa, is a key Hezbollah financier who has provided Hezbollah financial assistance for many years and has provided millions of dollars to Hezbollah generated from his business activities," the Treasury said in an official statement then.

It also designated the Global Trading Group NV (GTG) for being owned or controlled by Bazzi, in addition to several other entities including the Euro African Group LTD, Africa Middle East Investment Holding SAL (AME Investment) and Premier Investment Group SAL Offshore.

The US Department also named six other individuals accused of supporting Hezbollah including Moahmmad Jaafar Qasir, who is accused of helping Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force mask oil sales used to finance their allied terrorist groups.

RFJ said Qasir leads Hezbollah’s Unit 108, which transfers support form the IRGC-QF into Lebanon through Syria.

The list also includes Ali Qasir, who is Hezbollah’s representative in Iran and is a key facilitator of financial and commercial activities that benefit the IRGC-QF and Hezbollah. He is also the nephew of Hezbollah official Muhammad Qasir, with whom he works closely to facilitate financial activities between the IRGC-QF and the Lebanese party.

RFJ also lists the name of Muhammad Kawtharani, saying he is a senior leader of Hezbollah’s forces in Iraq and had assumed some of the political coordination of Iraqi-based, Iran-aligned paramilitary groups formerly organized by IRGC general Qasem Soleimani.

The list also names Adham Tabaja, a Hezbollah member who maintains direct ties with senior Hezbollah organizational elements, including the terrorist group’s operational component, Islamic Jihad.

Tabaja also holds properties in Lebanon on behalf of the group and is majority owner of the Lebanon-based real estate development and construction firm Al-Inmaa Group for Tourism Works.



Israeli Military Officials Warn of Wide-Scale Threat Similar to Oct. 7 Attacks

Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)
Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)
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Israeli Military Officials Warn of Wide-Scale Threat Similar to Oct. 7 Attacks

Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)
Palestinian fighters are seen during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 (AP)

Israeli military officials said on Monday that the war in the Gaza Strip has not ended, warning of the threat of a wide-scale raid like the one that occurred on Oct. 7, 2023.

“The Israeli security services are currently operating as if a similar raid is planned against us,” the officials said, adding that measures are being taken to counter it.

The warnings came at a meeting last week for the military security coordinators of the Israeli communities along the Gaza border. The meeting was only revealed on Monday.

The officials stated that the Israeli army is aware of this threat, not only in the south but also along the Israeli border, in the north and in the West Bank and even on the border with Syria and Jordan.

The meeting concluded that the security threat is not limited to Hamas, but involves other groups.

The officials said Israel left Hamas and other militant groups in a weakened position. However, they warned that these factions believe in an ideology that would push them to repeat the Oct. 7 attacks, which they “consider successful despite the high price paid by the people.”

Such warnings were confirmed by sources at the Israeli Army Southern Command, which said the threat of a wide-scale raid like the one that occurred on Oct. 7 exists, but in low probability.

They said Hamas retains the capability to carry out a platoon-level raid.

“Today there are three divisions inside Gaza, and forces deployed in the (Israeli border) communities. The Israeli army is deployed on a much wider scale than it was on Oct. 7 and Hamas was badly beaten all over the Strip,” the sources said.

Amid the security warnings, Israeli political officials spoke of the dangerous operations carried out by Hamas last week in the town of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip.

They said Hamas used tactics to monitor Israeli troop movements and booby-trapping homes and roads, resulting in the killing of 11 soldiers in seven days.

Initial Israeli investigation said Hamas took advantage of stormy weather to plant an explosive alongside a military logistics route in Beit Hanoun. But this explanation was ridiculed.

The Hebrew media said the latest developments in Gaza proved that the Israeli political and military leadership failed to properly conduct a sound strategic policy and adopted military solutions instead of exploring wise alternatives to stop the war.

On Monday, the Israeli military said five of its soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Gaza, while eight others were wounded.

The deaths bring the Israeli military's losses to 408 in the Gaza military campaign since it began a ground offensive against Hamas in the Palestinian territory on October 27, 2023.