BEIRUT — Kuwait has added eight Lebanese hospitals to its national terrorism sanctions list, reported the Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai on Sunday, prompting the Lebanese Health Ministry to express surprise and seek clarification.
The hospitals listed are: Sheikh Ragheb Harb University Hospital (Nabatieh), Salah Ghandour Hospital (Bint Jbeil), Al-Amal Hospital (Baalbek), Saint George Hospital (Hadath), Dar al-Hikma Hospital (Baalbek), Al-Batoul Hospital (Hermel), Al-Shifa Hospital (Khaldeh), and Al-Rasoul al-Aazam Hospital (Beirut’s southern suburbs).
Notably, the eight hospitals are located across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburb, regions where Hezbollah has a strong presence.
The Lebanese Health ministry expressed surprise at Kuwait’s decision, noting it had not received any prior request or notification from Kuwaiti authorities. Calling the move a "precedent," the ministry highlighted that Kuwait has been a longstanding partner in health projects and a major supporter of Lebanon’s health system during successive crises. It added that it will seek clarification from the relevant authorities to understand the reasons behind the decision and present the full facts, aiming to avoid confusion and safeguard the Lebanese health system.
"The decision was taken by the committee responsible for implementing U.N. Security Council resolutions issued under Chapter VII, which relate to combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Al-Rai explained.
The committee can designate entities on its own or following requests from foreign or local authorities, based on “reasonable grounds” that they are involved in, attempt to carry out, or facilitate terrorist activities, the newspaper added.
The Kuwaiti committee requested implementing the listing decision under Articles 21–24 of its Executive Regulations.
The committee detailed that those articles stipulate the immediate freezing of all funds or economic resources owned or controlled by listed entities, including assets derived from them. The regulations also bar anyone in Kuwait or Kuwaitis abroad from providing funds or financial services to the entities, with reporting of freezes required within 24 hours.
In June, the Kuwaiti Foreign Affairs Ministry imposed sanctions against the al-Qard al-Hassan Association (AQAH), considered the financial arm of Hezbollah in Lebanon. It had also called on all companies and financial institutions resident in the Gulf country to implement these measures and to cease all cooperation with any institution or person linked to Hezbollah.
At least seven Lebanese individuals are under sanctions for their alleged role in financial networks between Lebanon and Kuwait serving Hezbollah. Some of those individuals were also sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury (OFAC) for similar activities in September 2021. In November, Kuwaiti authorities arrested 18 people suspected of economic ties to Hezbollah.
