Israel Accuses Iran of Smuggling Cash to Hezbollah via Beirut Airport
The Israeli military accused Iran’s IRGC Quds Force of smuggling cash to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon through Beirut International Airport.
In a post on X, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic-language spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee, said the alleged smuggling operation involves civilian flights from Tehran to Beirut, with funds intended to bolster Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Adraee said the IDF has relayed its concerns to the U.S.-led committee monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah but despite the efforts made, Adraee claims “some of the money transfers were carried out successfully.”
“The IDF will not allow the organization to strengthen and will use all the tools at its disposal to enforce the understandings in the ceasefire agreement, for the security of the citizens of the State of Israel,” Adraee added.
In response, Lebanese authorities tightened inspections on flights arriving from Iran and Iraq and barred an Iranian plane from landing at the airport.
This move sparked protests in Beirut, where Hezbollah supporters took to the streets. On Thursday night, demonstrators waving Hezbollah flags blocked access roads to the airport, burning tires and chanting slogans in support of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The protest caused temporary traffic disruptions until Lebanese security forces intervened to clear the area.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government dismissed Israel’s claims as part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Tehran’s regional influence.
Hezbollah, which Israel has long accused of using Beirut’s international airport for weapons transfers, also denied the accusations.
“The Lebanese state is responsible for these facilities, and Hezbollah has no control over any of the state’s facilities,” a Hezbollah spokesperson told Newsweek.
“The allegations are always false because they are baseless accusations. During the war, they tried to threaten that weapons and other things were being placed in a number of state facilities and infrastructure,” the spokesperson added.
