Israel announced Sunday that it is targeting Hezbollah’s financial arm, Al-Qard Al-Hassan, warning residents in parts of Lebanon, including southern Beirut, to evacuate immediately. Shortly after the evacuation warnings, explosions were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli military stated that it plans to strike a “large number of targets” related to Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure across Lebanon.
The financial network, Al-Qard Al-Hassan, facilitates payments for Hezbollah operatives and helps fund the purchase of arms, according to Israeli officials. The nonprofit, which also provides financial services to ordinary Lebanese citizens, has over 30 branches across the country, including 15 in central Beirut. An Israeli intelligence officer confirmed the group’s significant involvement in Hezbollah’s activities and described the operation as a critical blow to the Iran-backed militant organization.
The strikes on Al-Qard Al-Hassan come amidst heightened conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, following Israel’s earlier attack on Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut. Tensions between the two sides have escalated since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, with Hezbollah launching rockets from Lebanon in support of Hamas. This has led to a year of cross-border clashes and an all-out war in the region.
In addition to the Beirut strikes, Israeli forces have been engaged in combat operations in Gaza, with Palestinian officials reporting high casualties from ongoing attacks. The situation in Lebanon has been marked by growing panic, especially after Israeli evacuation orders mistakenly listed a target in a location far from the intended strike zone, leading to confusion among residents.
As the conflict continues, both sides have suffered significant losses. Israel is expected to carry out further strikes, as its military aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s financial and military capabilities, while Lebanese officials estimate widespread destruction and displacement throughout the country. The war’s toll on both Israel and Lebanon continues to grow, with calls for a ceasefire from international actors yet to yield results.