The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday released a video illustrating how Hezbollah finances are like a “game of Monopoly” and how the Iran-back Shia group gets funded in various ways.
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IDF alleged that the funds are procured through two main source: Smuggled from Iran to Lebanon and stolen from Lebanese civilians. These are reportedly stored in the branches of Al-Qard al-Hassan Association and the warehouses scattered throughout various civilian locations in Lebanon.
Funds from Iran
According to the animated video, the funds from Iran are funnelled in three ways. The first one is through the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which transfers oil and money to Syria through land and sea.
Some companies like BS company owned by the Qaterji Family buy this oil for tens of millions of dollars. The money is then smuggled through to Lebanon into Hezbollah's coffers. The company was earlier headed by Baraa Qaterji who led oil imports over the past 10 years until he was killed in June.
Another way Iran funded Hezbollah was by flying cash directly to Lebanon from the independent oil sales of the Quds Force. This was carried out under diplomatic cover by bringing money to the Iranian embassy in Beirut before it is sent to Hezbollah.
The third way of funnelling Iranian money is through Hezbollah's Tehran-backed economic ventures. Hezbollah imported gas to Syria as well as set up factories in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Turkey.
IDF claimed that the revenue stream was managed by Hezbollah's chief financial officer Muhammad Ja'far Qasir, who was killed in a targeted Beirut strike in early October. Qasir was also the commander of the transfer unit and handled Hezbollah's primary source of income for years.
'Money stolen from Lebanese civilians'
Besides Iranian funds, IDF claimed that Hezbollah siphoned off funds from Lebanon's healthcare, education and welfare systems managed by the Al-Qard al-Hassan Association.
The Israeli military alleged that Hezbollah was taking advantage of Lebanon's financial crisis and running a separate economic system under its control.
IDF claims the money allegedly stolen by Hezbollah could have been used to rebuild Lebanon instead of producing missiles and other arms and ammunition used to target Israeli civilians.