Israel launches airstrikes on Hezbollah-linked financial targets in Beirut
Photo shows smoke rising at an area targeted by an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburb, October 20, 2024. (AFP Photo)
The Israeli army launched a series of airstrikes on Beirut late Sunday, targeting the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs after warning of strikes against buildings housing branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated Qard al-Hassan financial institution.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes land near Beirut airport, Lebanese security source says.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israeli warplanes carried out at least nine strikes within an hour, focusing on Qard al-Hassan branches in Hayy al-Sellum, Borj al-Barajneh, and Ghobeiry. These areas are known Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburb.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli army had warned it would target “important economic assets” linked to Hezbollah. Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a news conference, “The air force will launch extensive strikes on targets in southern Beirut, focusing on Hezbollah-linked economic infrastructure.”
Another spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, issued evacuation warnings via social media, urging residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley to leave buildings near Hezbollah facilities.
Qard al-Hassan, a financial institution founded by Hezbollah in the 1980s as a charitable organization, has become one of the key targets in Israel’s escalating air campaign. The ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have reportedly killed more than 1,500 people and displaced over 1.34 million since September 23.
This escalation follows a year of cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified after Israel launched its Gaza offensive. Since a Hamas attack last year, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 42,600 deaths, predominantly women and children.
Israel expanded the conflict further on October 1 by launching ground operations in southern Lebanon.
