The Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, recognized as a financial support entity for Hezbollah, has resumed its operations as of Saturday. This development follows the association’s efforts to engage with the Lebanese government to secure permission for its activities, which had been halted during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. While the Lebanese Interior Ministry has not received formal directives to act against the association, it plans to revoke its permits preemptively in early 2026. In July 2025, the Lebanese Central Bank prohibited all financial institutions from conducting transactions with Al-Qard Al-Hasan due to U.S. pressure; however, the Central Bank clarified that it did not formally ban the association but instructed commercial banks to refrain from business with it. Critics argue that the Lebanese government’s hesitance to confront Hezbollah has compromised the country’s financial integrity.
Why It Matters
The Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association has been under U.S. sanctions since 2007, highlighting its long-standing association with Hezbollah and its controversial financial practices. The Lebanese Central Bank’s recent restrictions reflect international pressure to limit Hezbollah’s financial networks, which are viewed as threats to regional stability. The ongoing operations of Al-Qard Al-Hasan despite these sanctions raise concerns about Lebanon’s regulatory environment and the potential for Hezbollah to continue leveraging financial resources to support its activities, thereby impacting Lebanon’s economic reputation and international relations. The situation illustrates the complexities of governance in Lebanon amidst the influence of non-state actors like Hezbollah.
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