Trump urged to look into US funding of Lebanese army amid accusations of its ties to Hezbollah
The relationship between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Hezbollah terrorist group has raised concerns among analysts, leading to calls for the Trump administration to reconsider its support for the LAF. The alliance between the LAF and Hezbollah has sparked accusations that the Lebanese army is colluding with the terrorist organization.
According to Edy Cohen, a Lebanese-born Israeli scholar of Hezbollah, the Lebanese army and Hezbollah are essentially the same. Cohen pointed out that the LAF provided intelligence information to Hezbollah about Israel, highlighting the close ties between the two entities. Recent reports indicated that a high-ranking LAF official shared a classified document with Hezbollah, raising further suspicions about their cooperation.
Despite the longstanding support from the U.S., which has invested over $3 billion in the LAF since 2006, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of this partnership. A senior Trump administration official noted that Hezbollah has not honored any agreements since 2006, suggesting that the U.S. should reconsider its aid to Lebanon.
The recent election of Joseph Aoun as president of Lebanon has raised hopes for change, but the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Kassem, has rejected the extension of the ceasefire agreement, further straining the fragile peace in the region.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed concerns about the collusion between the LAF and Hezbollah, indicating that the situation remains volatile. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, in coordination with the United States.
Experts have called for a new approach to address the growing influence of Hezbollah within the LAF. Walid Phares suggested redirecting funding to new units within the Lebanese army dedicated to disarming Hezbollah, in order to prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.
As the situation in Lebanon remains uncertain, it is essential for the international community to closely monitor developments and take necessary steps to prevent further conflict. The U.S. State Department and other stakeholders must carefully consider their support for the LAF and ensure that any assistance provided does not inadvertently benefit Hezbollah or other terrorist groups operating in the region.
