Israeli air strikes have targeted multiple bank branches across Lebanon, escalating tensions in the region as financial institutions become strategic targets.
Israel has conducted air strikes throughout Lebanon, claiming to target branches of a bank utilized by Hezbollah.
In less than an hour, the Israeli military issued 24 warnings of air strikes, predominantly targeting southern Beirut. Israel’s foreign minister described the city as being “in flames.” Additionally, two strikes were reported near Beirut airport while passenger planes continued to land.
Overnight, Jeanine Hennis, the UN envoy to Lebanon, stated: “There is widespread panic following new evacuation orders. A short opportunity remains to flee to safety.” The Al-Qard al-Hassan bank has been subject to US sanctions since 2007 because it allegedly enables Hezbollah to circumvent banking systems.
This morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement indicating that its air force struck “numerous facilities and sites utilized by the Hezbollah terrorist organization for financing its activities”.
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It claims that Al-Qard Al-Hassan “provides direct funding to Hezbollah’s terrorist activities, such as purchasing weapons and paying operatives in the military wing of Hezbollah.”
Prior to the strikes, the IDF stated that it undertook “numerous steps” to prevent civilian harm, including providing “advance warnings.”
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 25 projectiles were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory today.
“The IDF reports that some projectiles were intercepted, while fallen ones have been identified. No injuries have been reported.”
Earlier, it released several alerts about sirens blaring throughout northern Israel.
