Australia has imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on Hezbollah’s new Secretary-General Naim Qassem. 

The Australian government has linked Hezbollah to the deaths of numerous civilians in Lebanon, Israel, and across the Middle East.

In a statement, the group described the sanctions as an “unjust measure” and accused Australia of acting as a “submissive tool” for American and Israeli interests.  

“We consider this move entirely lacking in legal and moral basis,” the statement read.

Hezbollah contended that the decision was intended to shield Israel from accountability for its actions in Gaza and Lebanon, where it has faced allegations of committing war crimes against civilians. The group added that global public opinion is increasingly aware of “who the real terrorist is” and who is responsible for war crimes and genocide.

Rather than targeting Hezbollah, the statement argued, Australia “should have sanctioned Israeli war criminals and stood by the oppressed people of Lebanon and Palestine.”

Despite the sanctions, Hezbollah vowed that the decision would not deter its efforts.

“This will only strengthen our resolve to continue our confrontation,” the group asserted.