Israel seizes cryptocurrency said to be used to finance Hezbollah and Iran's Guards
The Israeli government said that it seized millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from accounts that had sent or received funds in alleged financing schemes for a powerful arm of the Iranian military and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he issued an order to seize the cryptocurrency wallets and turn over the funds to the Israeli government.
He described the "extensive" operation as Israel's first to target Hezbollah and the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force — two organizations sworn to Israel's destruction. Both have been designated by the United States and some other governments as "terrorist" organizations and locked out of the traditional global financial system.
It was a multi-agency effort, Gallant said, involving Israel's Mossad spy agency, the Israeli military intelligence office, the Israeli police and others.
Israel has previously seized cryptocurrency belonging to the paramilitary arm of Gaza's Hamas rulers as part of counterterrorism financing investigations.
"This is the first incident of this magnitude," Gallant said, noting that the effort took place earlier this week. "We have effectively cut off the flow of terror funds via this channel."
Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Israel's announcement.
Gallant alleged that Hezbollah and the Quds Force rely on virtual currency to finance their militant activities. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are favored for illicit transactions because they are perceived as hard to trace. Anyone in the world can create a Bitcoin account and begin receiving digital funds without providing a name or address.
Countries facing American sanctions, like Israel's regional foe Iran, have worked toward creating their own cryptocurrencies to circumvent financial restrictions.
Gallant said that Israel's seizure of the illicit funds should serve as a warning to "whoever finances terror," as Israeli authorities have developed tools and techniques that can identify those involved in so-called blockchain transactions.
28 June 2023, 13:57
24
There's no proof whatsoever that Israel stole Hizbi or Iranian crypto, they're most likely robbing regular people just like they steal Palestinian land.
28 June 2023, 21:28
10
you mean like the Lebanese government that impoverished its populace and still raping it? "You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye."
28 June 2023, 21:52
02
The Zionists must base their claims on reliable evidence. Where is it? There's no arguing that the Lebanese goverments did what you said, but we're talking about the Zionists who happen to be, murderers, thieves, supporters of ethnic cleansing, their actions perpetuating a dark legacy of oppression and injustice leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair. Their lust for land and resources knows no bounds, as they forcibly displace indigenous peoples, erase cultural heritage, and exploit natural treasures without remorse. It is a harrowing reminder of the urgent need to confront and expose the true nature of their abhorrent deeds, standing united against their reign of terror and working tirelessly to dismantle the structures of oppression they have so callously erected and named Israel.
28 June 2023, 18:45
40
On the other hand just think what the economy of Lebanon would look like today if all these Hizballah millions were in the coffers of the Government and not in the hands of terrorists who have no interest whatsoever in the success of Lebanon.
28 June 2023, 23:27
22
Phillipo, the war crime supporter, imagine how many more lebanese would have been alive if you hadn't killed so many and raped so many directly and indirectly through your proxy militias? Imagine if you hadn't bombed beirut and southern lebanon to pieces in 2006 and before that? Since you like thinking about scenarios, think about that. Last but not least, may God send you people who do to you what israel has done to the palestinians and lebanese.
