The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an air strike that killed Haytham Abdullah Bakri, the head of the “Al-Sadiq” Currency Exchange in southern Lebanon, who was closely linked to Hezbollah’s financial operations and Iran’s Quds Force. The IDF reported that Bakri acted as a critical conduit for funds flowing from the IRGC’s Quds Force to Hezbollah, used for procuring weapons, manufacturing, paying salaries, and supporting terrorist activities. The IDF stated that this strike was executed based on precise intelligence and is part of a broader campaign against Iran’s financial support network. The elimination of Bakri, along with the previously reported killing of Behnam Shahriyari, a Quds Force commander, signifies a significant blow to the financial axis between Iran and Hezbollah. The strike also comes amid discussions concerning the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon under the terms of the ceasefire that went into effect on November 27.
