Report: Israeli and American Intel Target Sunni Militia Tied to Hamas and Hezbollah

By Yoni Weiss

Israeli and American intelligence agencies are reportedly targeting the military arm of the Sunni Jamaa Islamiya group, which has ties to Hamas and Hezbollah, according to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Akhbar newspaper.

Allegations have surfaced regarding American intelligence offering a substantial sum of $5 million to a member of the group in exchange for information on senior Hamas official Salah al Arouri, who was later assassinated in Beirut.

The Fajar Forces, the military wing of the Jamaa Islamiya group, have claimed responsibility for previous rocket attacks on Israel, vowing to escalate their assaults as long as Israel continues its so-called aggression against South Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. However, their activities often remain clandestine, contributing to limited coverage in the media.

Recent reports from Al Akhbar suggest a resurgence of the Fajar Forces, prompting speculation about the increasing political presence of Sunni Islamist groups. The newspaper asserts that the group is the sole Arab Sunni entity providing military support to Gaza, attracting Lebanese youth disillusioned with Hezbollah and seeking alternative avenues to resist Israel.

Furthermore, Al Akhbar disclosed an incident involving a terror cell composed of Fajar Force members, apprehended by the Lebanese military for planning to smuggle weapons into Gaza and launch attacks on Haifa. Although the detainees claimed affiliation with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group denied any association, and the individuals were subsequently released under the condition of obtaining clearance from “the resistance” or Lebanon’s armed forces before engaging in any further hostile activities.