The Israeli army claims it assassinated Lebanese money changer Haytham Abdullah Bakri in an airstrike this week, accusing him of funneling funds to Hezbollah. This operation signals Israel's intensified efforts to disrupt the militant group's financial networks.

According to Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee, Bakri's "Al-Sadiq" Currency Exchange served as a key conduit for Iranian Quds Force funds intended for Hezbollah's "terrorist activities," including acquiring weapons and paying operatives.

Israel further escalated its actions by identifying and monitoring five other Lebanese exchange centers, alleging they also finance Hezbollah. This move serves as a clear warning that these entities could face similar targeting.

This assassination follows the recent killing of Behnam Shahriari in Iran, identified as a Quds Force Unit 190 head responsible for channeling millions to Iranian proxy groups. These coordinated strikes aim to severely cripple Hezbollah's financial lifeline.

Economic experts acknowledge Lebanon's financial vulnerabilities, with some channels operating beyond state oversight despite central bank monitoring. This complexity allows groups like Hezbollah to maintain parallel financial systems, like the Al-Qard Al-Hassan network.

With Iran reportedly providing Hezbollah up to $700 million annually, these Israeli operations underscore a concentrated strategy to dismantle the group's funding. The recent killings highlight the high-stakes conflict over financial control in the region.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2605800/middle-east