Berlin – The German government claims to possess no independent knowledge regarding alleged Chinese military support to the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, a claim that follows accusations leveled by Israel’s ambassador to Germany. Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, responding to inquiries from the dts Nachrichtenagentur, stated he had “no own insights” into the matter and declined to comment directly on the assertions made by Ambassador Ron Prosor.
Prosor’s recent statements to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers detailed what he alleges is a recent influx of weaponry from China, encompassing both air defense systems and components for Hezbollah’s offensive rocket program. He posits that Beijing is strategically exploiting the waning influence of Russia to foster a closer alliance with Iran and, by extension, bolster Hezbollah’s capabilities.
The timing of these accusations is particularly sensitive, given Hezbollah’s prominent role in recent hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The militia, backed by Iran, launched attacks on Israel during the Gaza conflict and significant losses were suffered by its leadership in the subsequent war.
Israel now insists on the disarmament of Hezbollah as a precondition for any lasting ceasefire and expresses grave concerns over reports suggesting the militia is rearming and maintaining a significant military presence near the border. The German government’s lack of independent verification regarding China’s alleged involvement raises questions about Berlin’s awareness of regional security dynamics and its ability to effectively address the escalating tensions in the region. Critics are likely to scrutinize the extent of Germany’s diplomatic efforts to ascertain the veracity of these claims and to pressure both China and Iran to curtail support for Hezbollah, viewing the situation as a destabilizing factor with potential for wider conflict. The situation also highlights a growing geopolitical competition between major powers, particularly as Russia’s influence weakens, prompting a realignment of alliances and potentially exacerbating existing regional conflicts.
