A Lebanese money changer sanctioned by the United States for allegedly serving as a financial intermediary between Hamas and Iran was found shot to death in a villa outside Beirut, the country’s state news agency reported.
Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam al-Mawawi told a Lebanese television network on Sunday that preliminary findings suggested last week’s killings “were carried out by intelligence services.” Asked if he believed Mossad was behind the attack, Mr Maurawi said “yes”.
The Israeli prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported that Muhammad Srour, a 57-year-old currency exchanger, disappeared for several days after going to a money transfer shop to withdraw money. His body was allegedly found riddled with gunshot wounds. The news agency mentioned only his initials, but his family confirmed the identity.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Sroul in August 2019, saying he provided “financial, material, technical support, financial or other services” to Hamas and had ties to the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Sroul is accused of transferring “tens of millions of dollars” annually from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to Hamas’s military wing.
After last week’s murder, Sroul’s relatives called on Lebanese authorities to find the killers in a televised speech and said all of his financial dealings were fully transparent.
