Hezbollah accused of redirecting civilian fuel for military use in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah may be redirecting fuel from the Lebanese state to Shia villages in the south of the country as part of a charm offensive to shore up support, according to the Alma Research and Education Center on Thursday.

Nearly 484,000 liters of fuel was delivered to 72, “distinctly Shiite,” communities in souther Lebanon from April to July of 2024, according to Alma. These communities are reportedly part of a Shiite base which supports the terror group.

The fuel was supplied by Hezbollah and through the Al Amana fuel company - which has been accused of being a civilian front for Hezbollah activities in the country.

Al Amana has been under US sanction since 2020 for its links with Hezbollah and has been accused of engaging in money laundering. 

The Alma report indicated that the Al Amana company is a mechanism for Hezbollah to maintain supportive Shiite bases near Israel’s border.  This has, according to the report, been an effective administrative tool to garner support because Hezbollah’s actions act “in contrast to the non-performing Lebanese state systems.”

Hezbollah's strategy: Fostering reliance

Hezbollah’s strategy, according to the report, is therefore to foster the Shiite communities’ reliance - which Alma claimed is why there has been a notable absence of criticism of the terror group despite damages incurred in attacks on and by Israel.

In border villages such as Kafr Kala, ‘Adisa, Maroun a-Ras, Yaroun, and ‘Aita a-Shaab, the average fuel supply is  6,500 liters for the four months stated. 

However, the aforementioned villages have seen populations flee amid escalating conflict with Israel. Based on this, Alma concluded that some of the 6,500 liters are likely used for Hezbollah’s operations.

“The civilian platform enables the military operations,” Alma concluded.