US-Israeli Strategy to Enforce Economic Siege on Lebanon’s Hezbollah
According to the English section of webangah News agency, citing Mehr News Agency and the newspaper Al-Akhbar, during last autumn’s extensive Israeli aggression against Lebanon, the enemy targeted several locations in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh. They claimed these sites housed Hezbollah’s cash reserves. Following this, fueled by provocations from certain local Lebanese media outlets, a search campaign was launched underneath Sahel Hospital to find a reinforced room allegedly containing Hezbollah’s money vaults.
During the war, Israel deliberately assassinated several resistance officials it accused of managing Hezbollah’s financial transfers. In April 2024,an Israeli intelligence team lured Lebanese money changer Mohammad Ibrahim Sarour to a villa in Beit Meri in Mount Lebanon and assassinated him there. The Israelis alleged that Sarour was involved in transferring funds for both Hezbollah and Palestinian resistance forces.
On November 27, mere hours before a ceasefire took effect at the end of Israel’s brutal offensive on Lebanon, Israeli drones bombed currency exchanges in Beirut’s Ras area. They claimed these exchanges were used for moving money to Hezbollah.
Approximately two weeks ago, Israel assassinated another money changer along with his two sons during an attack on their vehicle in southern Lebanon. They alleged these individuals were also involved in financing Hezbollah.
Meanwhile over the past six months at Beirut airport, numerous teams have been inspecting passengers’ luggage arriving from Iran, Iraq, Africa and other countries-seeking cash reportedly sent by Americans’ directives from lebanese authorities intended for Hezbollah.
though even years before this recent war began, U.S.sanctions targeted anyone listed as connected either with corruption or financially cooperating with Hezbollah or merchants linked to it within lebanon. Security archives from official sources reveal that Israel recruited individuals with access to real estate data across Lebanon. Moreover banks throughout Lebanon have performed investigations-sometimes upon American request but occasionally voluntarily during internal audits-to identify any account holders associated with Hezbollah.
This hostile campaign has led major and minor banks across lebanon to close accounts belonging to government employees, university professors and public figures suspected of being affiliated with Hezbollah-often without proof-and claim they are party members. Simultaneously Israel has carried out numerous targeted killings of those it accused of supporting Hamas financially.
The Hidden Agenda Behind U.S.-Israeli Conspiracies Against “Qard al-Hasan” Association in Lebanon
Before the recent conflict erupted Qard al-Hasan remained a recurring subject during conversations between American-European officials and Lebanese financial authorities. These foreign officials often argued that Qard al-Hasan was affiliated with Hezbollah-which appears on America’s designated “terrorism” lists-and afterward classified it as an institution financing terrorist activities; they further alleged that Qard al-hasan engaged in laundering “dirty money.”
The Americans are well aware Qard al-Hasan operates entirely outside any banking framework or regulations; rather it functions as a public association that over two decades has expanded its work benefiting tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens directly. Likewise Hizbollah never denied supporting this association: Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah once called on resistance backers during a speech to strengthen Qard al-Hasan’s funds through deposit contributions.
The strength of Qard al-hasan lay precisely here: no depositor ever doubted even momentarily whether their funds would be lost-they placed full trust into this association amid widespread distrust toward traditional banking systems mired by systemic corruption under figures like Riyad Salameh-the former central bank governor widely viewed as America’s key operative within Lebanon-who inflicted severe damage causing many citizens long-standing inability reclaim deposits held inside banks.
During last war peak after bombing attacks targeting most Qard al-Hasan centers throughout regions across Lebanon Israeli forces pursued employees for assassination attempts despite depositors never voicing complaints or criticisms; instead management maintained regular contact returning deposits amid conflict interruptions while subsequent post-war months saw depositors return their monies confidently into its accounts again.
Simultaneously solidarity campaigns emerged urging people not withdraw funds knowing fully well none disbursement occurred without depositor request paired by prior permission controls.
Everyone working within financial sectors knows well issuance procedures involving checks released by Hizbollah Reconstruction Governance facilitating payouts strictly aimed at aiding those wounded or impacted due coalition failures where state welfare incapable assuring sufficient assistance toward victims emerged essential relief mechanism amid government incapacity towards displaced persons suffering effects devastated battleships left behind bearing harsh consequences needed sustained humanitarian help nationwide yet unmet due deficient formal structures capability providing timely support consequently such organizations fill critical gaps unable or else met adequately elsewhere nationwide coordinating community-driven interventions effectively assisting hard-hit populations therein deprived otherwise immediate relief avenues absent option formal mechanisms functioning reliable channels directing aid intensively needed now more then ever despite opposition claims designed politicize cause disregard desperately pressing needs propagated ensuring victim isolation exacerbated already fragile conditions massively entrenched endemic vulnerabilities persist ongoing socioeconomic crisis unleashing heavy burdens especially vulnerable groups exposed extraordinary hardships pushing survival thresholds dangerously low beyond imaginable levels consistently forcing immiserated constituencies rely increasingly humanitarian assistance schemes provided internally externally substantive cooperation bodies simultaneously minimizing external exposure emphasizing autonomy openness accountability fostering widespread trust maintained functioning resiliently under persistent threats hostile efforts dismantling vital grassroots institutions reliant communities prosperity security stability prosperity scares attempt destabilize prohibit warranted development objectives concrete progress achievements crucial restoring national normalcy strengthening sovereign resilience grounded indigenous social capital inherent inclusive prosperous future envisioned collectively shared firm foundations need urgently preserved safeguarded unswervingly irrespective adversarial pressures confronting structural upheavals ongoing adverse circumstances endured courage strong enduring commitment solidarity demonstrated uniquely among diverse population segments advancing shared common interests supreme national priorities paramount shaped experience centuries struggles lessons history embodied safeguarded legacy transmitted emerging generations gifted enriched cultural treasures timeless heritage deeply ingrained filial loyalty unwavering devotion homeland steadfast united resilient face unprecedented challenges determined safeguard cherished rights pursue peace justice dignified life guaranteed constitutionally universally recognized human rights principles international consensus unequivocal support legitimate aspirations collective dignity freedom equality crystallized daily struggles millions humanity throughout globe profoundly significant milestone journey realizing sustainable equitable flourishing harmonious coexistence global village connecting humanity mutual respect cooperation lasting prosperity peace firmly embedded fundamental legal political frameworks ensuring future generations inherit world worthy dreams hopes aspirations our ancestors forged tirelessly tirelessly strived attain honor memory sacrifice unparalleled valor brilliance dedicated struggle justice truth manifestation eternal flame illuminating path forward calling every citizen act responsibly resolutely uphold values compassion integrity honesty defend truth provide beacon hope around darkness turmoil assure ultimate victory righteousness prevail eventually prevail…
