Hezbollah's maneuver: how the terrorist organization establishes itself in pilot zones
Hezbollah is promoting military activity in southern Lebanon under the guise of civilian organizations identified with it, a new study reveals. For example, the "Wataawunu" association, which ostensibly deals with food and housing aid, is reported to serve as the organization's "soft arm." The activity contradicts the framework agreement and exploits the limitations of the Lebanese army.
Hezbollah's method for establishing itself in southern Lebanon is revealed: the terrorist organization uses organizations that are subordinate or affiliated with it, and under their cover establishes military activity, control, and presence in the pilot zones for the IDF withdrawal — this is according to a study published by the Amit Institute for Terrorism and Intelligence Research.
According to the study, the two most prominent organizations in their activity are: the "Islamic Health Organization," which is subordinate to Hezbollah's executive council, and the "Wataawunu" association, which promotes aid and rehabilitation projects for civilian infrastructure.
At the Amit Institute, they estimate that "the activity of the organizations in the pilot area contradicts the framework agreement and testifies to the difficulty and complexity for the Lebanese government to act against the presence of Hezbollah and its various civilian arms operating in southern Lebanon." The institute adds that there are legal difficulties and a lack of legal authority for the Lebanese army to conduct searches in privately owned civilian properties, despite Hezbollah's use of them as cover for military activity.
Not trying to hide
Hezbollah does not even try to hide the activity of the organizations. The "Islamic Health Organization" that operates in the village of Zoutar el-Gharbiya receives extensive coverage in Hezbollah's media system (on the "Al-Manar" channel, for example). Furthermore, the Lebanese Ministry of Health, headed by a minister on behalf of Hezbollah, Rakan Nasr al-Din, publicly supports and recognizes its activity.
The head of the "Wataawunu" association, Afif Shouman, is a member of Hezbollah and admitted himself that it operates in accordance with the organization's instructions. Outwardly, this association deals with food and housing aid for residents. However, according to Lebanese and Arab media outlets, it is a "soft arm" that promotes Hezbollah's goals of deepening its hold on the country and provides civilian cover for the military and logistical infrastructure of its terrorists.
About two months ago, an Israeli strike was also reported against a building of the association in the village of Houla, which was used as an arms depot. At the beginning of June, leaflets dropped by the Air Force in southern Lebanon were documented, calling on residents to avoid any contact with the association identified with Hezbollah.
According to the research institute, this association also operates openly in the village of Zoutar el-Gharbiya, which is defined as a pilot zone. In this context, the association conducted a field survey to map damages, placed mobile structures for residents and village heads, and sent supply trucks. This activity is also extensively covered in Hezbollah's media system.
Another piece of evidence for Hezbollah's connection to the association is that fundraising for it goes through the organization's financial institution (Al-Qard al-Hassan). Furthermore, in the association's "Good Faces" campaign in 2025, which pushed for the population's return to the villages of southern Lebanon, a logo appeared with the face of Hassan Nasrallah, the organization's secretary-general who was eliminated.
