Hezbollah’s civil branches still operating in Lebanese Army pilot zone, researchers say

Hezbollah's civilian organizations are reportedly still active within Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a village designated as a pilot zone under the protection of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Researchers from the Alma Research and Education Center have identified the presence of the Hezbollah-affiliated Wataawanou Association operating within the area.

The Wataawanou Association, which claims to offer water, food rations, and medical treatment to displaced individuals, has established a temporary center in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh. According to the Alma Center, this center began operations as early as July 29 and now hosts the village council, providing support services to returning residents.

Hezbollah's own media, Al Manar TV, reported in late July that the Wataawanou Association works in "cooperation with the social work sector of Hezbollah." The head of the association, Afif Shuman, also known as Abu al-Fadl, has been identified by the Alma Center as a Hezbollah operative. Shuman himself confirmed to L'Orient Today that the group "supports the resistance."

Lebanese media outlets, including L'Orient Today, have frequently described Wataawanou as being linked to Hezbollah. The financial company Whish Money, licensed by the Central Bank of Lebanon, suspended the association's account in 2025 due to a failure to provide documentation verifying the origins and destination of its donations.

The Alma Center alleges that Wataawanou's operations are intended to cultivate conditions for Hezbollah to exert social and economic influence and create dependency. The center further claims these activities allow Hezbollah to raise donations for restoring both its civilian and military infrastructure, potentially through its al-Qard al-Hasan bank.

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supports the resistance