FDD | July15, 2025
Latest Developments
- Strikes Intended to Prevent Rebuilding of Radwan Force: Israel bombed several facilities belonging to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in the Beqaa region of Lebanon to prevent the force’s “reconstitution,” the IDF reported. The targeted sites included facilities used by the commando units to train in “weapons use and combat tactics,” along with weapons depots. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the strikes sent a “clear message to both Hezbollah, which is plotting to rebuild Radwan Force’s raiding capabilities against Israel,” and the Lebanese government of Israel’s determination to “respond with maximum force” to “thwart any threat.”
- Heaviest Strikes Since Ceasefire: Citing Hezbollah’s violation of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, the IDF strikes were the most intense since the ceasefire was agreed to in November 2024. Lebanese media reported that 13 people were killed, including five members of Hezbollah, seven Syrian refugees, and one other individual. Hezbollah responded by warning that it faced “a necessary choice to confront [Israel and] curb its aggression.”
- Lebanese Restrictions on Hezbollah’s Bank: Banque du Liban, Lebanon’s central bank, issued a ban on all Lebanese licensed financial institutions from directly or indirectly transacting with unlicensed financial entities, specifically naming Hezbollah’s al-Qard al-Hasan bank. U.S. Special Envoy to Lebanon and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack hailed the move on X as “a step in the right direction.” The United States sanctioned al-Qard al-Hasan in 2007, a decision cited in the central bank’s directive.
FDD Expert Response
“Every Israeli action in Lebanon underscores Beirut’s continued inaction against Hezbollah. Today’s airstrikes in the northern Beqaa are no exception. Battered as it is, Hezbollah remains active and determined to rebuild its capabilities while Lebanese officials fret and wring their hands over its disarming. American-backed Israeli military action, coupled with continued diplomatic pressure on Lebanon by the United States, will deny Hezbollah a comfortable path to regeneration and, in time, may move Beirut to finally live up to its sovereign obligations by disarming and proscribing the group.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow
“While banning institutions from engaging with al-Qard al-Hasan is a positive step to cut Hezbollah’s financial arteries, it still operates outside of the Lebanese financial system. Thus, this decision does not impact its ability to launder Hezbollah’s funds. The United States must continue targeting Hezbollah’s financiers to dissuade the Shia community in Lebanon from dealing with the group’s financial institutions.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst
FDD Background and Analysis
“Hezbollah’s Role in the Israel-Iran War Is to Await Iran’s Orders,” by David Daoud
“Israel Strikes at Hezbollah’s Iran-Backed Banks in Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief
“10 Things to Know About Hezbollah,” FDD Insight
“How Hezbollah Fundraises Through Crime,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi
“Hezbollah’s al-Qard al-Hasan and Lebanon’s Banking Sector,” by Tony Badran and Emanuele Ottolenghi
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