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Ad Hoc Studies

United States sanctions two of Hezbollah’s construction companies. Both are related to Jihad al-Bina, a major association in Hezbollah’s civilian infrastructure

On September 17, 2020, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on two Lebanese companies, Arch Consulting and Meamar Construction. According to the US Department of the Treasury, this is because these companies are owned, controlled or directed by Hezbollah. In addition to these two companies, sanctions were also imposed on Sultan Khalifah As’ad, a Hezbollah Executive Council official who is closely associated with both companies (US Department of the Treasury website, September 17, 2020).
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The Spread of Covid-19 in Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria (Updated to October 19, 2020)

This past week the number of active Covid-19 cases in the Gaza Strip continued to rise, and as of October 18, 2020, stood at 1,859, with 574 new cases detected.Despite the upward trend in the numbers, the Hamas administration continues easing restrictions, at the same time attempting to ensure that public health guidelines will be followed. Medical spokesmen voiced concern over the public's disregard for health guidelines and preventive measures, and warn that the virus may spread extensively. The public health system in the Gaza Strip has begun making preparations for the annual winter flu season along with Covid-19.
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The Palestinian Authority continues preparations for founding a bank which will enable it to transfer funds to terrorist prisoners and the families of shaheeds

On June 1, 2020, the Palestinian Authority (PA) government authorized the founding of a government bank to channel funds to Palestinian terrorist prisoners and the families of shaheeds. That came after the commercial banks in Judea and Samaria froze the accounts of the prisoners and shaheed families and refused to transfer the monthly payment from the PA to their accounts. The future bank will be called the Bank of Independence for Development and Investment.
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Bahrain as an Arena for Iran Subversion and Terrorism

Iran has been a permanent threat to the stability of the Bahraini regime since the country declared independence. Iran's fundamental antagonism is based on a combination of geopolitics, history and the Iranian regime's regional interests: Bahrain is located in the heart of the Persian Gulf, where Iran seeks hegemony; the American army's largest naval base in the Persian Gulf is in Manama, the capital of Bahrain (where the Fifth Fleet is anchored); and Bahrain's internal politics are based on a Sunni minority ruling a Shi'ite majority which mostly has an Iranian orientation.
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ISIS gaining in strength in the Iraqi arena

Following the collapse of the Islamic caliphate, ISIS is undergoing a process of change, being transformed from a state-like entity, which in its heyday (2014) controlled vast territories in Iraq and Syria, to a terrorist and guerrilla organization. In the ITIC's assessment, about 5,000-6,000 operatives are active in ISIS’s Iraq Province furthering processes of rehabilitation and reorganization (which are still ongoing).
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Law, politics and Terrorism: Special Tribunal for Lebanon for the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – the verdict and its weaknesses

On February 14, 2005, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated by a truck bomb detonated near his convoy on the Beirut promenade. The blast left 22 people dead and more than 200 wounded. Blame was directed at the Assad regime (which was in control of Lebanon at the time) and Hezbollah, its political ally, both of which had a clear interest in eliminating Hariri, a prominent opponent of the “Syrian order” in Lebanon and of Hezbollah. Hariri’s assassination led to political turmoil in Lebanon.
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