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After Israel assassinated several top Hezbollah leaders in recent weeks, Wafic Safa was one of the last remaining senior officials alive.
On Thursday night, Israeli air strikes hit central Beirut. Israeli media reported that Mr Safa, who was heavily involved in the 2006 war negotiations with Israelis, was the target. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported 22 deaths and 117 injuries.
In 2019, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mr Safa, describing him as "the head of Hezbollah's security apparatus" and a close associate of the group's then Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed two weeks ago in a massive Israeli attack on Beirut.
He rose to prominence in the mid-1990s when he negotiated the release of Hezbollah prisoners with Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel fought a month-long war in 2006. That conflict remained the most recent between the two sides until fighting resumed a year ago, coinciding with the war in Gaza. The war has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with more than 2,000 killed in Lebanon and 1.2 million displaced.
In imposing the sanctions, the US said Mr Safa “has exploited Lebanon's ports and border crossings to smuggle contraband and facilitate travel on behalf of Hezbollah, undermining the security and safety of the Lebanese people, while also draining valuable import duties and revenue away from the Lebanese government”.
The Treasury said Mr “Safa is in charge of Hezbollah's liaison and co-ordination unit, and is responsible for Hezbollah’s co-ordination with the international community and with Lebanese security agencies”.
He is accused of arranging the passage of illegal drugs and weapons into the port of Beirut. Hezbollah specifically routed certain shipments through Mr Safa to avoid scrutiny, the Treasury stated.
He was a suspect in the assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri, the father another former premier, Saad Hariri, in 2005. Hezbollah has denied its involvement in the Lebanese statesman’s death.
The US Treasury also accused Mr Safa, along with Hezbollah parliamentary chief Muhammed Raad, of maintaining a list of 100 Hezbollah members who were to acquire foreign citizenship.
“With these passports, these individuals would be sent by Hezbollah on long-term missions to Arab and western countries,” the Treasury added.
Mr Safa also allegedly threatened a Lebanese judge charged with investigating the deadly 2020 Beirut port blast, which implicated allies of Hezbollah.
Despite his prominent position, Mr Safa kept a low profile and rarely spoke to the media.
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La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
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Director: James Cameron
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
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