On February 17, 2025, HRW released a report titled “Lebanon: Destruction of Infrastructure Preventing Returns,” in which it accused Israel of deliberately destroying “vast swathes of critical civilian infrastructure and public services, preventing tens of thousands of Lebanese from returning to their homes…Much of the damage was caused by the Israeli military’s use of explosive weapons in populated areas.” In this report, and following their standard practice, HRW systematically erased the dominant presence of the Hezbollah terror group, which exploited these civilian areas and infrastructure (including a vast network of tunnels) to launch rocket attacks, store vast amounts of ammunition, plant explosives, and station ground forces to launch attacks into Israeli territory.

Moreover, HRW extensively quoted Mahdi Sadeq, executive director of Nabatieh Emergency Rescue Service Association. As documented below, Sadeq is a supporter of Hezbollah and of the use of violence against Israel. In addition, the association he heads is linked to a pro-Hezbollah Shi’ite center (see below), which hails the terror group and its leaders, supports its actions, and regularly meets with Hezbollah leaders.

Nabatieh Emergency Rescue Service Association and the Husseini Club

The Nabatieh Emergency Rescue Service Association is part of a network of cultural, health, religious, social services, and youth organizations under the auspices of the Husseini Club. The Husseini Club has demonstrated public support for Hezbollah, its leaders, and actions, and had an official presence at events that were held in support of Hezbollah. The Husseini Club has also expressed its support for the October 7th attacks.

  • On August 23, 2024, the Husseini Club published pictures of one of its leaders, Sheikh Abdul Hussein Sadeq, attending an official memorial gathering in honor of Ali Ahmed Daqmaq, a Hezbollah terrorist who was killed during post-Oct 7th fighting. Other attendees can be seen wearing Hezbollah scarfs. According to Al-Ahed news, a Lebanese outlet, Sadeq also led Daqmaq’s Hezbollah organized-funeral march, in which “calls in support of the resistance” were made.

Pictures published by the Husseini Club, showing Sheikh Sadeq attending an official event honoring a killed Hezbollah terrorist, alongside other attendees wearing Hezbollah scarfs.

  • On February 20, 2024, the Husseini Club shared photos of Sheikh Sadeq attending an official memorial gathering in honor of Ali Al-Debs, a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, who was killed during post-Oct 7th fighting. Sheikh Sadeq was gifted with a religious Shi’ite artifact that was previously in the possession of Al-Debs. A plethora of Hezbollah paraphernalia was present during the visit.

Pictures published by the Husseini Club, showing Sheikh Sadeq attending an official event honoring a killed senior Hezbollah terrorist.

  • On February 17, 2024, the Husseini Club published a statement by Sheikh Sadeq, in which he said, “From the sacrifices of the martyrs…from the dark forearms of our resistance fighters…the morning of victory shall unquestionably break out. The merged blood of both steadfast civilians and hero resistance fighters, from the respected [military] wings of  Amal and Hezbollah is an affirmation of our people’s and [resistance] forces’ unity with the culture of resistance. Long live our hero resistance fighters, guarding the borders of the nation…The continuing Zionist crimes against our people and the genocide war which he is conducting against Gaza, strengthens our adherence to the option of resistance, as the only path for defending our nation…”
  • On November 7, 2023, the Husseini Club issued a statement by Sheikh Sadeq, in which he said, “The spectacular quality operation, Al-Aqsa Flood, has revealed, apart from the bravery of the Palestinian resistance fighter, the extraordinary scientific, technological and security capabilities of the resistance…it raises trust and strengthens hope that this nation, and with it the resistance axis, is capable of liberating its stolen land from the tyranny and disgrace of occupation…loving salutations and exaltations to our heroic resistance that stands guard over the border…”
  • On October 12, 2023, the Husseini Club released several segments from Sheikh Sadeq’s statement during “the solidarity with Gaza demonstration,” in which Sadeq said, “A sense of pride and delight filled our hearts in view of the colossal operation that the heroic Palestinian resistance carried out. It let loose its fury as a flood in the face of tyranny…History is with the Al-Aqsa Flood operation…In the name of the [Lebanese] south, which is strengthened by the steadfastness of its people and resistance. We decorate the laurel wreaths of victory on brave Palestine’s head, which is embroidered by the blood of fighting…The Al-Aqsa Flood operation has provided the decisive proof in the field that the option of resistance is the only useful option in order to confront this corrupt entity and to rid our nations of its mischief.”
  • In August 2022, the Husseini Club held a shi’ite religious event in which it invited, among others, Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad, Hezbollah senior member Ali Daoun, and a delegation of Hezbollah members.
  • In September 2019, the Husseini Club held a shi’ite religious event in which it invited, among others, multiple senior members of Hezbollah, including Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad, then Hezbollah senior member Ammar Daoun, and a delegation of “members of the Hezbollah command in the region.”
  • According to Al-Manar, a Hezbollah-affiliated media outlet, in October 2016, the Husseini Club hosted a religious event organized by Hezbollah, in which Hezbollah senior members attended.

Mahdi Sadeq’s support for Hezbollah and terror

Mahdi Sadeq has held the role of executive director of Nabatieh Emergency Rescue Service Association, at least since January 2018 (as of February 2025).

Sadeq has expressed his support for Hezbollah and its terrorists on multiple occasions. He has also used his Facebook account to support Palestinian terror.

  • On September 28, 2024, Sadeq shared a poster featuring former Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah, following his death. The poster reads, “I had no idea that my love for you penetrates me this deep. My blessings be upon you, our master.” Sadeq added a broken heart emoji.

Sadeq shared a poster of Nasrallah and wrote, “I had no idea that my love for you penetrates me this deep. My blessings be upon you, our master.”

  • On June 16, 2024, during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, Sadeq shared a picture of Nabatieh Emergency Rescue personnel in the field next to a Hezbollah terrorist firing an RPG missile. Sadeq wrote, “It is you who express all the meanings of the holiday. Sacrifice, answering the call, purity, and pursuit in the name of the nation’s dignity. May your Eid be blessed.”

Sadeq shared photos of Nabatieh Emergency Rescue personnel next to a Hezbollah terrorist firing an RPG missile, and wrote, “It is you who express all the meanings of the holiday. Sacrifice, answering the call, purity, and pursuit in the name of the nation’s dignity.”

  • On November 11, 2023, Sadeq shared a photo of Ali Daoud, a terrorist affiliated with the Amal shi’ite terror group aligned with Hezbollah. Sadeq wrote, “In heavens’ language there is no chance, but only fate. It was heavens’ wish that Ali would become a martyr on that day (11/11) to affirm that the resistance is the culture of a nation in its entirety. He is steadfast, fearless, believer, and devoted to the act of giving in general and to the Husseiniya [i.e. the Husseini Club] in particular. To Allah’s grace [he goes], the shining star and part of a line of martyrs on the way to Jerusalem [a phrase coined by Hezbollah to fallen terrorists eliminated following October 7th].” (emphasis added)
  • On October 27, 2023, Sadeq shared a poster featuring three Hezbollah terrorists, Hussein Hariri, Mahmoud Darwish and Taha Hussien Taha, and wrote, “Oh, you pearls of dignity on our necks, amulets of protection for our children and mornings of Jasmine.”

Sadeq shared a poster of three Hezbollah terrorists and hailed them, “Oh, you pearls of dignity on our necks, amulets of protection for our children and mornings of Jasmine.”

  • On October 25, 2023, Sadeq wrote, “When we observe the resistance’s recent actions we only have more trust, praise and wonder, and we only have more bravery, nationalism and wisdom. This, without exaggeration and without over enthusiasm, since they are part of the path of Allah.”
  • On October 20, 2022, Sadeq shared a poster hailing Udai Tamimi as “the martyr fighter, Udai Tamimi, who broke the dignity of the ‘Israeli’ security apparatus.” Tamimi wrote, “Udai Tamimi and the charms of our Jerusalem. Your fist is the dawn of morning. Your chest, which burst with gunfire, is our trustful shield.”
    • In separate shootings on October 9 and October 19, 2022, Udai Tamimi killed an Israeli soldier and wounded civilians.

Sadeq shared a poster hailing a Palestinian terrorist who killed an Israeli soldier and wrote, “Your fist is the dawn of morning. Your chest, which burst with gunfire, is our trustful shield.”