Israel has expressed its concerns to the US-led committee overseeing the ceasefire in Lebanon, alleging that Iran is transporting suitcases filled with US dollars to Hezbollah via Beirut’s international airport, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing an American defense official.
The official further indicated that Israel asserts Turkish nationals are being employed to facilitate the smuggling of cash from Istanbul to Beirut.
The report states that Israel’s grievances have been conveyed to the Lebanese government.
A Lebanese security official, referenced by the Wall Street Journal, noted that Beirut airport is under stringent military oversight to prevent smuggling activities by Hezbollah.
While the transportation of large amounts of cash through the airport may pose difficulties, the official mentioned that valuable items such as gemstones and diamonds could potentially evade detection.
The ceasefire agreement established on November 27 concluded two months of intense conflict, which followed a period of lower-intensity cross-border skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah.
Throughout the conflict, Israel succeeded in eliminating a significant portion of Hezbollah’s senior leadership. Additionally, it targeted the Al-Qard Al-Hassan financial institution, which operates over 30 branches across Lebanon and is alleged by both Jerusalem and Washington to be involved in money laundering and financing terrorism, claims that Hezbollah refutes.
The Iran-backed militant group initiated near-daily assaults on northern Israel the day after the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by its Palestinian ally Hamas, which instigated the war in Gaza.
As a result of the attacks, tens of thousands of Israeli residents in the north were displaced, with rocket fire eventually extending to the central regions of the country.
