By Omar Bah
The Daily Wrap Newspaper has reported that Hezbollah and Israel are raising funds in Africa to support their respective conflicts in Lebanon. According to the report, Hezbollah receives financial support from Lebanese communities in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Guinea, while Israel benefits from the trade of African diamonds.
The report also mentions that a Lebanese national, Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Hezbollah, which is primarily sponsored by Iran, reportedly finances its conflict with Israel in part through donations from Lebanese communities across Africa and also benefits from zakat. The organization allegedly uses these funds for acquiring weapons, training Palestinians, and engaging in drug trafficking, smuggling, and extensive money laundering. The report highlights West Africa as a notable hub for Hezbollah’s money laundering activities.
Similarly, the report states that Israel also supports conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon with resources from Africa, mainly through the trade of African diamonds. Despite the prevailing hostile stances towards Israel from South Africa and Namibia, both countries are said to sell diamonds to Israel without hesitation.
