BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The widespread infiltration of Hezbollah militant, political and charitable groups in Lebanon is making it difficult for Western aid groups to work.
Because Hezbollah is deemed to be a terrorist organization by the United States, aid groups are forbidden from giving out money that could become accessible to Hezbollah.
Now, in war-ravaged southern Lebanon where entire villages were flattened by Israeli artillery, groups such as Mercy Corps are almost surrounded by Hezbollah presence, as in the town of Khiam, where residents spoke to The New York Times.
"UNICEF has been here, and Mercy Corps and other groups," said Ahmad Zogby, whose house was destroyed. "But everything coming in, Hezbollah puts an eye on it, makes sure it is all given out in the proper way. It is all in the hands of Hezbollah."
Khiam's deputy mayor, Muhammed Abdullah, who is organizing donations of food and water from Mercy, agreed.
"You can make a separation between what we do and Hezbollah, but of course there is coordination," said Abdullah.
