Under the Cover of Aid, Hezbollah Reclaims Influence in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli intelligence report reveals that "Hezbollah" is violating Lebanon's framework agreement and maintaining operational control over southern Lebanon in areas vacated by the Israeli army, which the agreement designates as "experimental zones."

According to a report from Israel's Amit Institute for Research on Terrorism and Intelligence: "Hezbollah operatives are working under the cover of civilian relief, medical, and rehabilitation organizations, exploiting the weakness of the Lebanese army."

Intelligence Activity Under an Aid Facade

Under the U.S.-brokered framework agreement, the Israeli army gradually withdrew from certain villages in southern Lebanon, transferring security control to the Lebanese army with the aim of dismantling Hezbollah's underlying infrastructure.

The Israeli institute stated: "Hezbollah elements have returned to the experimental villages, operating within frameworks such as the Islamic Health Organization and civil rehabilitation bodies."

It added: "Among those returning are members of the organization's 'Rabat' unit, whose roles include military coordination, intelligence gathering, and rebuilding military infrastructure under civilian cover."

Field Facilitation and Lack of Oversight

The report noted that Lebanese army soldiers stationed at checkpoints do not verify the identities of people entering villages, nor do they conduct vehicle inspections, allowing Hezbollah operatives to move freely.

The Israeli institute stated in its report: "This demonstrates that without a strict and effective international verification mechanism on the ground, Hezbollah can easily circumvent political agreements. The return of Hezbollah operatives disguised in civilian attire provides a platform for rebuilding Hezbollah's forward defensive line against Israel."

Strong Message and Israeli Conditions

According to the website "Nitzavim Net," Israel delivered a formal and firm message to the United States through security channels, stating that the project of experimental zones in southern Lebanon has failed completely.

It added: "The defense establishment expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Lebanese army's performance, and Israel made clear its firm rejection of expanding the experimental zones or withdrawing from additional villages until thorough inspections ensure the complete removal of Hezbollah elements."

The report continued: "Israeli security officials acknowledged that the Lebanese army requests coordinates of terrorist infrastructure sites but does not actually destroy them; as a result, Israel has strengthened its tactical cooperation with it."