Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group with a long-standing presence in Canada, has been destabilized following the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in recent Israeli air strikes. This has raised concerns among experts that the group may resort to increased acts of international terrorism as a result of losing many of its commanders and having its headquarters destroyed. The collapse of Hezbollah could have significant repercussions in Canada, where the group has been active since the 1990s, and where its supporters are feared to take matters into their own hands following the loss of Nasrallah.
Hezbollah, formed in 1982 in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, has become one of the most technically capable terrorist groups in the world with the backing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The group has developed a global network to carry out attacks worldwide and has been linked to several attacks involving Canadian Hezbollah members over the years. While Hezbollah has not conducted any attacks in Canada directly, Canadian authorities have been vigilant in monitoring the group’s activities and supporters in the country, with concerns that they may take action on their own accord.
Canada has historically served as a facilitation and fundraising hub for Hezbollah, with reports indicating that the group has maintained an international network of charities, non-profit organizations, and other sympathetic organizations in the country. These entities have helped support Hezbollah’s official activities through legitimate commercial activity that generated resources later diverted to the group. Furthermore, Hezbollah has utilized Canada for procurement efforts, purchasing dual-use items through its significant pool of members, supporters, and sympathizers in the country.
The Israeli government has recently launched an offensive against Hezbollah, targeting its leadership in southern Lebanon and Beirut following increased rocket attacks from the group. The killing of Hassan Nasrallah has further escalated tensions in the region, prompting concerns of retaliatory actions. Canadian authorities, including the Toronto Police Service, have been monitoring the situation closely for any potential threats to public safety, particularly with regards to the Jewish community which has been targeted in recent attacks. Police have increased their presence in response to these security concerns and remain in close communication with community partners.
Former intelligence officers and experts have warned that Hezbollah supporters may resort to international terrorism or take matters into their own hands following the destabilization of the group. The loss of Nasrallah and other key commanders has left Hezbollah in disarray, potentially leading to increased acts of violence. Canadian security forces, including CSIS and FINTRAC, have been monitoring Hezbollah’s activities in Canada and international connections closely, with concerns about possible threats stemming from the group’s supporters in the country. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing vigilance required to prevent potential acts of violence or terrorism.
