Islamic Republic's Financial Aid to Hezbollah for Lebanese Families

Na'im Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah Lebanon, announced on Thursday, December 6, that the Islamic Republic has provided financial assistance to the group to pay money to "families affected by the war with Israel." According to Reuters, the leader of this Iranian-backed group stated that Hezbollah has distributed over $50 million in cash gifts to families affected by the war with Israel. Reuters noted that Hezbollah is seeking to strengthen its support following a devastating conflict with Israel. In a pre-recorded speech, Na'im Qassem thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for its financial assistance to the group, stating that payments have ranged from $300 to $400 per individual and that over 230,000 families have registered to receive financial aid. According to the leader of this Iranian-backed group, the total cost of payments to these families will be at least $77 million. Previously, there have been numerous reports about the financial and military assistance of the Islamic Republic of Iran to its proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. In this context, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah Lebanon who was killed following Israeli airstrikes, stated in July 2016 that all of Hezbollah's budget is provided by Iran. The Islamic Republic's assistance to these groups has been repeatedly criticized by protesters during recent protests in Iran. One of the protesters' slogans has been "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is for Iran." Will the reduction of the Islamic Republic's financial support lead to a rupture in relations with Shiites in Lebanon? Was the Lebanon ceasefire a defeat for the Islamic Republic or Israel? Khosrow Azarbig, a musician and traveler, stated: "Both Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, all three are sacrificed for Iran." U.S. intelligence indicates that Hezbollah is seeking to rebuild itself.