Australian killed in Lebanon Hezbollah fighter, terror group says

DFAT has confirmed the deaths of two Australian brothers in southern Lebanon, as Hezbollah buried one of the men ‘with pride’ as a fighter with the terror group.

Mourners react during the funeral procession of a Hezbollah fighter and two of his relatives. Fight Ali Bazzi can be seen in the middle picture frame. Picture: AFP

Terrorist organisation Hezbollah has said one of two Australian men killed while in a southern Lebanese town was one of its fighters, with a ceremonial funeral taking place overnight as he “rose as a martyr”.

Meanwhile, the Australian government confirmed the brothers’ deaths and said it would provide consular assistance to the family.

On Wednesday, local media in Lebanon reported that 30-year-old Ali Bazzi, his 27-year-old brother Ibrahim – both Australian – and the younger brother’s wife, Shourouk Hammoud, were reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil.

Late on Wednesday, Hezbollah said that Ali Bazzi was one of the group’s fighters.

“With greater pride and pride, the Islamic Resistance celebrates the martyr Mujahid Ali Ahmed Bazzi ‘Qasim’ from the city of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, who rose as a martyr on the road to Jerusalem,” a statement from the terrorist organisation read.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the deaths of two Australian citizens in an air strike in southern Lebanon,” a DFAT spokesperson said on Thursday morning.

“The Australian Embassy in Beirut stands ready to provide consular assistance to the family if required.”

The Australian understands DFAT is aware of the tweet claiming that one of the Australians was ‘martyred’ while on duty with Hezbollah, which is a listed terrorist organisation under Australian law.

Speaking to the ABC on Wednesday, family members of the Bazzi brothers, and Ms Hammoud, said the younger brother had travelled to the city to collect his wife and return to settle in Australia.

Ali Bazzi, 30, an Australian man who Hezbollah said was one of its fighters killed in Lebanon on December 27.

Hezbollah has made no mention of Ibrahim Bazzi, and there is no suggestion he had any links to the terror group.

A funeral service in Bint Jbeil was held on Wednesday for all three, with each person’s casket adorned in Hezbollah flags and pictures of the three enlarged on commemorative awning.

A X account appearing to be that of Hezbollah secretary-general, or at least associated with him, Hassan Nasrallah also shared the group’s statement commemorating its “martyr” Ali Bazzi.

Hezbollah enjoys widespread support in the area, which is close to the Israeli border. The town itself was a key site of the 2006 Lebanon War and has been a major centre of the Lebanese resistance, as well as a known base for the terror group.

The caskets decked in Hezbollah flags. Picture: AFP

The ceremony took place in Bint Jbeil, Lebanon.

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign ­Affairs and Trade said it was investigating reports that an Australian man and his wife have been killed in an air strike in Lebanon.

Lebanese media reported that the three were killed when a two-storey building was struck by an Israeli warplane overnight on December 26. The house was destroyed.

Israel’s Air Force told local media that it had destroyed Hezbollah military installations and terrorist infrastructure.

On Wednesday, the brothers’ uncle, Mohamed Kahmees, told the ABC: “He (Ibrahim) went to get his wife from ­Lebanon for a better life … and then this happened. I’m really in a state of shock still.”

He described Ibrahim Bazzi as a “beautiful boy”.

Ibrahim Bazzi, left, along with his brother Ali, right.

Ms Hammoud’s first cousin, Sydney man Mohamed Hammoud, told the ABC the family was devastated at the news. “My family is numb. My family is devastated. My family is in disbelief,” Mr Hammoud said.

DFAT’s official travel advice says Australians should not travel to Lebanon, saying “daily military action is occurring in southern Lebanon, including rocket and missile fire, as well as air strikes.”

Hezbollah has been designated a terrorist organisation by Australia, the United States and the UK. The Iranian-backed group formed after the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon in 1982 and like Hamas, which it supports, is also backed by Iran.