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.



UN Lays Groundwork for Gaza Aid Surge under Ceasefire but Still Sees Challenges

 An Israeli Black Hawk military helicopter lands inside North Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from Israel, January 14, 2025. (Reuters)
An Israeli Black Hawk military helicopter lands inside North Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from Israel, January 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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UN Lays Groundwork for Gaza Aid Surge under Ceasefire but Still Sees Challenges

 An Israeli Black Hawk military helicopter lands inside North Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from Israel, January 14, 2025. (Reuters)
An Israeli Black Hawk military helicopter lands inside North Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as seen from Israel, January 14, 2025. (Reuters)

The United Nations said on Tuesday it was busy preparing to expand humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip under a potential ceasefire but uncertainty around border access and security in the enclave remain obstacles.

Negotiators in Qatar are hammering out final details of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, with mediators and the warring sides all describing a deal as closer than ever. A truce would include a significant increase of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The UN humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, met with Israeli and Palestinian ministers in recent days and spoke with the Egyptian foreign minister on Tuesday about UN engagement in a ceasefire, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

"The UN system as a whole is in intense planning and preparation for when a ceasefire comes into play, and how we can increase the aid," Dujarric said.

Among the unknowns are what border crossings would be open into Gaza under a truce and how secure the enclave would be for aid distribution since many shipments have been targeted by armed gangs and looters during the conflict.

"Obviously, things that will continue to be challenging because we don't have answers to all those questions," Dujarric said.

The UN has complained of aid obstacles in Gaza throughout the 15-month-old war. The UN says Israel and lawlessness in the enclave have impeded the entry and distribution of aid in the war zone.

'DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE'

Global food security experts warned in November there is a "strong likelihood that famine is imminent" in northern Gaza. More than 46,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has said the quantity of aid delivered to Gaza -- which it puts at more than a million tons over the past year -- has been adequate. But it accuses Hamas of hijacking the assistance before it reaches Palestinians in need. Hamas has denied the allegations and blamed Israel for shortages.

The fate of the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA - which the UN says is the backbone of aid operations in Gaza - is also unclear as a law banning its operation on Israeli land and contact with Israeli authorities is due to take effect later this month.

Dujarric said the UN and partner organizations are "doing everything possible" to reach Palestinians in need with extremely limited resources.

"However, ongoing hostilities and violent armed looting as well as systematic access restrictions continue to severely constrain our efforts," he said. "Road damage, unexploded ordinances, fuel shortages and a lack of adequate telecommunications equipment are also hampering our work."

"It is imperative that vital aid and commercial goods can enter Gaza through all available border crossings without delay, at a scale needed," he said.

Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel has laid much of Gaza to waste, and the territory's pre-war population of 2.3 million people has been displaced multiple times, humanitarian agencies say.