Hezbollah is grappling with a severe financial crisis as Israel intensifies its military operations against the group key Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon, including those associated with Al-Qard Al-Hasan (AQAH), the group’s financial arm.
AQAH, founded in 1982 as a charitable institution, has grown into a major financial pillar within Hezbollah’s strongholds, despite operating without an official banking license. The United States has sanctioned AQAH since 2007, accusing it of facilitating Hezbollah’s activities. Recent Israeli strikes have targeted AQAH vaults and other sources of funding, with reports indicating that these operations have put a significant strain on Hezbollah’s ability to finance its operations.
A Fire broke out at one of Hezbollah’s “Al-Qard Al-Hassan” Bank Branches in Southern Beirut, with it reported to have been caused by an Israeli Airstrike. pic.twitter.com/TpUFhpFHiT
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 20, 2024
The Headquarters of Hezbollah’s “Al-Qard Al-Hassan” Bank in the City of Baalbek suffered Major Damage as a result of an Israeli Airstrike. pic.twitter.com/oyFZh052Yf
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 20, 2024
Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut, stated that Hezbollah is struggling to pay its operatives due to the disruption of its financial resources. Israeli strikes have also reportedly hampered cash flows from Iran, Hezbollah’s primary benefactor, by tightening control over flights into Beirut’s airport. This financial pressure is further exacerbated by Israel’s continued strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure, including intelligence command centers and weapons manufacturing sites.
While Hezbollah has not officially commented on its financial troubles, its recent actions suggest growing desperation. The militant group has launched a series of rocket attacks on Israel, firing over 170 projectiles on Sunday alone. Despite the financial challenges, experts believe Hezbollah’s fighters will remain committed to their cause, driven by ideological motivations rather than financial incentives. Israeli officials, however, vow to continue targeting Hezbollah’s financial and military infrastructure.
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