US ramps up pressure on Lebanon with sweeping sanctions tied to Hezbollah and Israel talks

4^min

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

It is only the beginning. This phrase sums up the pressure the U.S. administration is expected to exert on Lebanon from now on, a process that began with sanctions imposed on nine individuals, including Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani and, for the first time, Lebanese security officials.

The sanctions were tied to two issues: obstructing the peace process between Lebanon and Israel and hindering Hezbollah’s disarmament. So who are the nine individuals?

Naturally, the sanctions list includes Hezbollah MPs Ibrahim al-Moussawi, Hassan Fadlallah, Hussein al-Hajj Hassan, and former minister Mohamed Fanich.

However, what stood out was the inclusion of two figures closely associated with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri: Ahmad Baalbaki and Ahmad Safawi.

Baalbaki serves as head of preparation and guidance within the Amal Movement’s executive body across Lebanon, the highest security-related position within the movement, while Safawi oversees preparation in southern Lebanon, according to the movement’s internal structure.

The accusations against Baalbaki and Safawi are that they coordinated with Hezbollah and received instructions regarding attacks against Israel through joint operations involving Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.

More significantly, two Shiite officers from Army Intelligence and General Security were added to the sanctions list just days before the anticipated Lebanese-Israeli security meeting at the Pentagon.

The first officer is Colonel Samir Hamadi, who was appointed head of Army Intelligence in Beirut’s southern suburbs last August, succeeding Brigadier General Maher Raad, who was reportedly considered close to Hezbollah.

The second is Brigadier General Khattar Nasser Eldin, head of the analysis department at General Security, who previously led the agency’s national security division in Beirut and had been considered a candidate to succeed Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

The accusation against the two officers is that they shared intelligence with Hezbollah, although the U.S. Treasury decision had not been officially communicated to the leadership of the army and General Security through formal channels.

Both institutions quickly moved to defend their officers. The army said in a statement that all officers and personnel carry out their duties professionally and responsibly in line with directives issued by the leadership, emphasizing that soldiers’ loyalty is solely to the military institution and the nation.

General Security also stressed neutrality and integrity in performance, adding that it would hold accountable anyone proven to have leaked information outside the institution.

Politically, however, there is another interpretation of the messages directed at the Amal-Hezbollah alliance.

The first and most important message was aimed at the president and army commander: implement the commitments regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament and the extension of state authority, or face stronger measures. The message to the army was that the era of coordination with Hezbollah is over.

The second message was directed at Berri: patience has run out, and what has happened is merely an “advance payment.” The expectation is that he will accept direct negotiations with Israel and repeal the law criminalizing contact with it when the issue reaches parliament.

As for Hezbollah figures, the message targeted all channels tasked with communication with the state, not only through sanctions on MPs but also by targeting Mohamed Fanich, head of the party’s government affairs body.

According to the Amal-Hezbollah alliance’s interpretation, the United States, backed by Israel, is seeking to stir internal discord and provoke the Shiite community into reacting. Therefore, the alliance will not be drawn into any internal conflict, in line with a commitment it has made to itself.