Hezbollah Recruits Criminals in Latin America for Attacks on Israeli, Jewish Targets
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Hezbollah is reportedly recruiting convicted criminals in Brazil to prepare attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets, according to a Washington Institute analysis and Brazilian investigations. Operation Trapiche, launched in November 2023 with Mossad support, uncovered a scheme involving recruitment, training in Lebanon, and surveillance of potential targets. Financial channels, including cryptocurrency and businesses, are also being investigated. Brazilian authorities are working to identify and disrupt these networks before attacks can occur.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hezbollah is recruiting convicted criminals in Brazil for attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets.
- Operation Trapiche, a joint Brazilian-Mossad investigation, uncovered the recruitment and financing scheme.
- Recruits receive training in Lebanon and are tasked with surveilling potential targets in Brazil.
- The group allegedly uses financial motivation and cryptocurrency to fund its operations.
- Brazilian justice considers financial motivation insufficient to exclude terrorism charges.
- Authorities aim to identify and disrupt Hezbollah's networks before attacks occur.
Hezbollah is reportedly seeking new recruits among convicted criminals in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, as part of a strategy to prepare attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets. An analysis by the Washington Institute suggests the Iran-backed Lebanese group is exploiting the financial difficulties and resentment of criminals, offering them recruitment far from its traditional militant networks. This strategy emerged from "Operation Trapiche," a counter-terrorism investigation launched in November 2023 by Brazilian federal police with support from Israel's Mossad. The probe uncovered a recruitment and financing scheme aimed at developing clandestine operational capabilities in South America.
According to investigators, individuals with no prior Hezbollah ties are being approached in Brazil and sent to Lebanon for training. Upon their return, some have allegedly been tasked with surveilling synagogues, Israeli diplomatic missions, and Jewish community figures. Brazilian federal prosecutor Lucas Gualtieri stated that this method allows Hezbollah to conceal its involvement in potential attacks by recruiting individuals motivated by money rather than ideology, potentially framing operations as isolated criminal acts.
The investigation is focusing on individuals like Lucas Passos Lima, who allegedly filmed Israeli and Jewish sites in Brazil after traveling to Lebanon twice in 2023. Evidence also includes training in weapons handling and the acquisition of surveillance equipment. Financial aspects are also under scrutiny, with Brazilian tobacco businesses reportedly used to fund recruits' travel to Beirut for training in clandestine communication techniques, including using unsent email drafts. Cryptocurrency is also cited as a funding channel, with São Paulo broker Dante Felipini accused of setting up digital wallets for Hezbollah and Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
Brazilian justice has affirmed that financial motivation does not preclude terrorism charges if an individual knowingly participates in a terrorist project. Authorities and international partners face the challenge of identifying these networks before attacks occur, advocating for enhanced surveillance of financial circuits, shell companies, and cryptocurrency transactions.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 2
