Rubio Discusses Middle East Tensions and Cuba’s Future in Exclusive Interview

In a recent interview, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed growing tensions in the Middle East, touching on the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon while stressing the urgent necessity to dismantle Hezbollah. He characterized Cuba as a failed state and a national security concern for the U.S., advocating for major economic reforms to tackle the nation’s energy crisis. Additionally, Rubio highlighted the Trump administration’s strong position against Iran’s operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanese media has recently claimed that Hezbollah is using children from its version of the Scout movement for jihadist missions, leading to their deaths, as reported by MTV. The allegations came to light amidst U.S.-mediated peace discussions between Israel and Lebanon.

The report suggests that Hezbollah honors child combatants through public funerals and praises their deeds to inspire other young individuals to follow their lead. According to MTV’s findings, the organization believes that the sacrifice of child soldiers brings them closer to success.

Hezbollah reportedly utilizes scouting as a means to indoctrinate a generation of youth willing to embrace martyrdom. A report translated by MEMRI noted that the use of child soldiers by Hezbollah has been ongoing since the 1980s. The late Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini is said to have employed Iranian children during the Iraq war.

Matthew Levitt, a scholar at the Washington Institute, remarked that Hezbollah’s recruitment of young scouts is well-documented, with others supporting this view as well. “They have been taught jihad,” Middle East expert Walid Fares told FOX News Digital.

Experts suggest these young individuals could be termed “child jihadists,” being groomed to become active Hezbollah fighters. Fares noted they often engage in espionage and transporting ammunition. He recommended sanctioning any Lebanese institutions providing funding to these scouts if evidence supports such claims.

Efforts to reach the World Organization of Scouting Movement for comments did not yield immediate responses. Sarit Zehavi, an expert on Hezbollah, called for measures against the group’s exploitation of children, proposing that change can only come from Lebanon with significant international pressure, particularly from the U.S.

Zehavi emphasized the need for alternatives to Hezbollah’s services that ensure loyalty to the Lebanese state rather than external influences. Israeli diplomat Tammy Rahmimov Honig criticized Hezbollah for sacrificing children for political aims, labeling it as child abuse.

Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States chose not to comment on the matter.