Did Mossad take out Hezbollah money changer?

Lebanese sources have accused Israeli intelligence agency Mossad of being behind the killing of a Lebanese money changer with links to Hezbollah, Reuters reported. 

Mohammad Surur, believed to be aged 57, was found dead on April 9 in the outskirts of Beirut just days after his disappearance.  

A security source within the country said that Surur was found in a house in Beit Meri, a mountain town just shy of 20km away from Beirut, with multiple bullet wounds scattered across both of his legs. 

Large cash sums were also found on the body, leading to the security source coming to the conclusion that Mr Surur had been subject to a violent interrogation – signs of torture were also apparent – and not attempted theft. 

The same source confirmed that is was Surur, an individual best known for working in money transfers, including between Palestinian militants Hamas and other Iranian proxies. 

Investigators have alleged Mossad’s involvement, and it is understood that Surur was lured to a rented villa by a woman who remains unidentified. 

READ: Lebanon: Mikati faces accusations of money laundering in France

They have also said that the crime looks to have been carried out professionally by skilled individuals recruited to carefully track and monitor Surur. 

In 2019, the victim was sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury as they alleged that he had transferred “tens of millions of dollars per year” between the Al-Quds Brigade, one of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s service branches, and the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing. 

Surur has made several appearances at public events hosted by Hezbollah in Lebanon but did not seem to have a major role within the militant group. 

Forensic evidence teams are working to identify the type of weapon used and the exact time of his death as his family, who lost contact with him a week before he was killed, have demanded full transparency and accountability with regards to the incident. Lebanese MPs have echoed the family’s sentiments and called on the authorities to swiftly find those responsible. 

Reuters