Israel Says It Killed Money Changer Funding Hezbollah

The Israeli military reported the targeted killing of an individual it identified as a key financial figure facilitating monetary flows from Iran to Hezbollah. The strike occurred in southern Lebanon and is part of an ongoing campaign by Israel to disrupt funding networks linked to Iranian-backed militant operations in the region.

According to statements issued by the Israel Defense Forces, the individual killed was Haytham Abdullah Bakri, described as the head of the Al-Sadiq Currency Exchange. This financial institution has been accused of operating as an intermediary for the transfer and storage of funds allegedly originating from Iran’s Quds Force and destined for Hezbollah’s operational infrastructure.

The Israeli military asserted that the Al-Sadiq Currency Exchange played a significant role in facilitating Hezbollah’s access to foreign funds. The money, reportedly provided by Iran’s elite Quds Force, was said to be allocated for a range of military functions. These include the procurement of weapons, local manufacturing of military assets, payment of salaries to Hezbollah operatives, and the broader financing of actions categorized by Israel as terrorism.