1) The ITIC reports on documents found in the Gaza Strip showing Iranian support for Hamas.
“Hamas documents captured by IDF forces during the Gaza Strip War offer a glimpse into the extent of Iranian penetration of Hamas as part of constructing the “resistance axis” against Israel. In addition to supporting Hamas’ military activities, Iran supports other Gazan terrorist organizations and funds civilian, educational and cultural initiatives.
The documents also provide new information on Iran’s involvement in Hamas’ preparations for the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre, including coordination with Hezbollah and Hamas deployment in the Lebanese arena.”
2) At the INSS, Raz Zimmt analyses ‘Possible Changes in Iran’s Security Concept’.
“Regional developments are posing challenges to Iran and the pro-Iranian axis it leads, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the main elements of its deterrence against its enemies. These elements include Iran’s use of “proxies,” its strategic military capabilities (missiles and drones), and its nuclear program. Recent months have revealed shortcomings in Iran’s security concept, which could lead to different approaches among the Iranian leadership.”
3) At the JISS, Efraim Inbar looks at ‘Hezbollah in Africa’.
“Hezbollah has tapped into Lebanese communities, particularly in West and Central Africa, which had been previously in contact with the Shiite Lebanese Amal movement. Its key activities in Africa include fundraising and financing, criminal activities, procurement and transportation of weapons, and alliances with local Islamist militias. A part of the Shiite community is being radicalized and trained for terrorist activities. Its networks present not only a direct threat to Israel and the United States but also to the stability of fragile African states.”
4) Sarit Zehavi of the Alma Center discusses ‘Breaking Free from Hezbollah’s Grip’.
“For Lebanon to break free from Hezbollah’s influence, the international community must step in with both incentives and pressures. This approach has precedence in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the disbanding of all illegal non-governmental armed forces in Lebanon. Yet, until now, this resolution has remained a largely symbolic gesture, unenforced and largely ignored.”
5) At the Middle East Forum, Ofra Bengio discusses ‘The Iranian-Iraqi Double Threat to the Middle East’.
“The 2003 Iraqi war resulted in a strategic shift in the relationship between Baghdad and Tehran by turning Iraq into a vassal state of Iran. Iran’s long-term strategy has been to export its Islamic revolution to transform enemies across the Middle East. The post-war security vacuum in Iraq facilitated this tactic, essentially a creeping invasion of Iraq in a gradual, sophisticated manner. Iran’s strategy goes beyond simply sponsoring militias; rather, it also encompasses religious, economic, ideological, and political dimensions.”
6) UN Watch provides details of meetings between UNRWA officials and terrorist organisations.
“As part of several documents released today from a larger trove exposing UNRWA’s widespread complicity with terrorists, UN Watch has revealed that UNRWA’s previous head Pierre Krahenbuhl met repeatedly with leaders of Palestinian terrorist organizations, including one meeting where he called for their covert partnership and unity. The practice has continued under UNRWA’s current commissioner Philippe Lazzarini.”
