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Israel announced its military is targeting the financial arm of Hezbollah based in Lebanon, and will attack numerous targets in Beirut and other locations. Explosions were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs shortly after the announcement.
Evacuation warnings were issued for southern Beirut, the eastern Bekaa valley, and parts of southern Lebanon.
The attacks will focus on al-Qard al-Hassan all over Lebanon, according to a senior Israeli intelligence official. This Hezbollah unit is used for paying operatives and purchasing arms for the Iran-backed group. Al-Qard al-Hassan, a registered nonprofit sanctioned by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, offers financial services to ordinary Lebanese residents as well. Its Arabic name means “the benevolent loan,” and Hezbollah has used it to strengthen support among the Shiite population.
David Asher, an expert on illicit financing, described the targeting of al-Qard al-Hassan as significant, as the organization operates in cash. The strikes would render the cash unusable, especially since it holds accounts with major Lebanese banks.
In response, al-Qard al-Hassan stated that Israel’s decision to target them reflects the country’s “bankruptcy,” and reassured customers that their funds were safe. Numerous people left the areas around its branches in Beirut following the announcement.
Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which eventually led to all-out war, Israel’s military entered Lebanon earlier this month.
Israel’s military decision to target al-Qard al-Hassan came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern over the high number of civilian casualties in Lebanon and urged Israel to reduce strikes, particularly in and around Beirut.
In the midst of the conflict, three Lebanese soldiers were reported killed in an Israeli strike on their vehicle in southern Lebanon. These strikes came as part of Israel’s increased attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern neighborhoods of Beirut.
Lebanon’s army, though respected, has been unable to impose its will on Hezbollah or defend the country against Israeli invasion during the conflict.
Alongside the military actions, Iran supports Hezbollah, while the U.S. is investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents that suggest Israel was preparing for a military strike following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on October 1.
In Gaza, Israeli strikes on homes resulted in numerous casualties, as the military conducted operations against Hamas militants. The U.S. has called on Israel to seek a cease-fire, but negotiations have stalled.
Doctors Without Borders urged Israeli forces to cease their attacks on hospitals in northern Gaza, after the Health Ministry reported Israeli troops firing on two hospitals over the weekend.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, with the destruction of large areas and displacement of much of the population.
Overall, the situation remains dire in the region, with ongoing military actions causing significant humanitarian and civilian casualties.
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