Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi has alleged that the abduction and killing of Hezbollah-linked Lebanese currency exchanger Mohammad Srour was likely carried out by Israeli intelligence operatives. Srour, who was sanctioned by the U.S., was found dead in a villa in Beit Meri, with pistols, gloves, and chemicals intended to remove evidence at the scene. Lebanese security agencies suspect Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, was behind the operation, although specific evidence has not been provided. The investigation is ongoing, and once completed, the results will be made public and referred to judicial authorities.
The suspicion of Israeli involvement in Srour’s killing comes amidst ongoing clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops along Lebanon’s southern border. Srour was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019 for alleged money transfers from Iran through Hezbollah to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The incident occurred as U.S. and Israeli officials are cracking down on funds being funneled to Hamas, following a recent attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants. Srour’s killing was meticulously planned, with a man posing as a customer contacting him to make cash transfers, leading to his disappearance and eventual death.
The perpetrators of Srour’s killing had initially tried to rent an apartment in Beirut but later shifted to Beit Meri, where they rented a villa using fake Lebanese identity cards. Srour went missing on April 3 and was found dead a week later with multiple bullet wounds. The killing was carried out in a professional manner that did not raise suspicion among neighbors, highlighting the covert nature of the operation. Srour’s family members have called for a swift investigation to find the perpetrators, emphasizing his transparent financial transactions and legitimate currency exchange work.
Israel has a history of targeted killings in Lebanon, including drone strikes that have taken out high-ranking Hezbollah commanders. The U.S. has accused Srour of facilitating money transfers from Iran to Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades. At Srour’s funeral in Labweh, Hezbollah flags were flown over his coffin, with attendees chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. The case remains under investigation, with Lebanese authorities working to uncover more details about the circumstances surrounding Srour’s abduction and murder.
