Israeli Strike Kills Alleged Hezbollah Financier in Lebanon

A man identified as a financial operator for Hezbollah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. According to Israeli military sources, the target was the head of a currency exchange business accused of transferring funds to the group through Iran’s Quds Force.

The strike hit a vehicle in the village of Kfardjal, killing Haytham Abdullah Bakr and his two sons, all reported by Hezbollah as members of the group.

Israel steps up strikes north of Litani River

The attack is part of a wider series of Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah-linked sites north of the Litani River, despite a ceasefire that technically remains in effect. On Monday alone, Israeli forces carried out strikes in several towns including Zrariyeh, Kfar Melki, Mahmoudiyah, Ansar, Al Bisariya, and Al Wardiya, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency.

While fires broke out following the bombings, no casualties were reported in those incidents.

Ceasefire under strain

The current escalation comes months after a US-brokered ceasefire ended 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Under the terms of the deal, Hezbollah agreed to withdraw from areas south of the Litani River, while Lebanese authorities were tasked with dismantling the group’s infrastructure in those regions within 60 days.

However, the agreement did not specify a timeline for dismantling Hezbollah’s presence north of the river, where recent Israeli strikes have been focused.

Targeted assassination seen as financial blow to Hezbollah

Israel described the assassination of Bakr as a “major blow” to Iran’s funding routes into Hezbollah. The military claimed the Al Sadiq currency exchange, which Bakr operated, served as a key channel for moving money from Iran’s Quds Force to Hezbollah’s operations in Lebanon.

The Israeli army called the business a "funds storage and transfer mechanism" for the group, linking it directly to Hezbollah’s financial lifelines.

No retaliation so far from Hezbollah

Despite continued Israeli strikes and reported casualties, Hezbollah has not responded militarily. Lebanese officials say the group remains largely withdrawn from the southern region as agreed. Still, tensions persist as Israel maintains its military presence on five points of disputed Lebanese territory and continues air raids.

With Hezbollah under both political and military pressure following its recent conflict with Israel, analysts suggest the group may be avoiding further escalation for now.

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