Smoke and flames billow from an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday. AP Photo
Israel’s military has announced a new focus on targeting Hezbollah’s financial operations, launching strikes against various locations in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. This initiative, described as an effort to disrupt Hezbollah’s funding, began shortly after the announcement, with explosions reported in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Evacuation alerts were issued for several areas, including southern Beirut and parts of the Bekaa Valley. Despite the strikes occurring near Lebanon's only airport, operations continued as usual. The Israeli military specified that it would target al-Qard al-Hassan, a financial unit of Hezbollah responsible for funding its operatives and acquiring arms. A senior intelligence official stated that these operations would extend throughout Lebanon.
Al-Qard al-Hassan operates as a registered nonprofit and has been sanctioned by both the United States and Saudi Arabia. It not only serves Hezbollah but also provides financial services to ordinary Lebanese citizens. Its Arabic name translates to "the benevolent loan," and the organization has positioned itself as a source of support among the Shiite community in Lebanon, particularly in a climate where state and financial institutions have faltered.
“This is significant,” commented David Asher, an expert on illicit financing who has held positions in the U.S. Defense and State Departments. He noted that al-Qard al-Hassan is primarily a cash-based organization, implying that any disruption to its operations would significantly impact its financial capacity.
In response to the Israeli attacks, al-Qard al-Hassan issued a statement describing the military actions as indicative of Israel’s “bankruptcy,” assuring clients that their funds remained secure. As news of the strikes spread, many people began to leave the vicinity of its branches in Beirut.
The Israeli military inadvertently caused panic in one evacuation notice, misidentifying a target and labelling it as a theatre located far from the intended area. This miscommunication added to the confusion as residents reacted to the announcement.
The recent escalation follows a year of heightened tensions and cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which intensified into a full-blown war last month. Israeli ground troops entered Lebanon earlier this month as part of their military strategy.
This announcement came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized the high civilian casualty rate in Lebanon, urging Israel to reconsider its military actions, particularly in densely populated areas like Beirut.
In recent strikes on southern Beirut, known for its dense population and strong Hezbollah presence, the Lebanese army reported the deaths of three soldiers in an Israeli attack. The Israeli military did not comment on this incident but confirmed that it had targeted over 100 Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon.
Israel’s military claimed that Hezbollah had launched more than 170 rockets into Israeli territory, resulting in minor injuries to three people due to a fire ignited by one of these rockets in the northern city of Safed.
Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the area reported that Israeli forces deliberately damaged a U.N. observation tower in southern Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
Iran continues to support Hezbollah, while the United States is investigating reports that Israel was preparing for military action in response to recent threats from Iran. The situation remains tense, with both sides deeply entrenched in their positions and no immediate resolution in sight.
In Gaza, the situation is equally dire, with recent Israeli strikes resulting in significant casualties. The conflict has caused widespread devastation, displacing a substantial portion of the population and leaving many areas in ruins.
As the conflict continues to escalate, both Israel and Hezbollah remain firmly positioned in their respective stances, raising concerns about further violence and instability in the region.
