Hundreds of Beirut residents were evacuated from their homes as explosions were heard across the southern suburbs on Sunday night after the Israeli military announced it was preparing an attack on a branch of a Hezbollah-linked banking system. This is a further escalation in Israel’s nearly month-long war against the militants. .
Reuters witnesses saw thick black smoke billowing into the air over the Lebanese capital after at least 10 explosions. Witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said buildings in the southern suburb of Chiyar were reduced to rubble, a small number of people in the area were evacuated before the explosion, and there were no casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has advised people that Al-Qad Al-Hassan Association, a US-licensed financial organization with more than 30 branches throughout Lebanon, including 15 branches in densely populated areas in central Beirut and its suburbs, They were warned to leave the affected areas immediately. .
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that 11 strikes took place in southern Beirut, many targeting al-Qad al-Hassan. NNA added that other strikes also hit the association in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and in the south of the country.
It also reported that airstrikes were carried out near Beirut’s airport, which is the main entry point for humanitarian aid into the country and a major evacuation center for people fleeing the conflict. AFP footage showed large plumes of smoke billowing from near the facility.
There was no immediate information on the cause of the explosion or details of casualties. Panicked crowds filled roads and caused traffic jams in some parts of Beirut as they tried to get to areas they thought were safer, witnesses told Reuters.
The United States claims al-Qad al-Hassan is being used by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah to control its finances. It primarily provides loans and services to people living in areas where militia groups are active.
“Dear residents of Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces are launching an attack on the infrastructure of the Hezbollah al-Qad al-Hassan association. Please leave immediately,” Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Avichai Adlai said on X. said.
The association accused the organization of being involved in “financing the Hezbollah organization’s terrorist activities against Israel, which is why the IDF decided to attack this terrorist infrastructure.”
Asked by journalists whether the branch could be considered a military target, a senior Israeli intelligence official said: “The purpose of this attack is to target the ability of Hezbollah’s economic functions to rebuild and rearm not only during the war, but also afterward…on the day of”. “
In 2021, as the U.S. Treasury prepared to impose sanctions on Hezbollah’s financial network, it said al-Qaad al-Hassan “professed to be serving the Lebanese people,” but in reality was “using dummy accounts and intermediaries.” The New York Times reported that he was illegally transferring funds through individuals.
According to the Times, al-Qad al-Hasan said in a statement on Sunday that Israel had “exhausted a series of targets and has chosen to blackmail and target the non-profit organization Al-Qad al-Hasan.” I did,” he said.
Days after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Israel stepped up military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon, raising hopes for the start of ceasefire negotiations to end more than a year of conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the military on Sunday that the military was stepping up attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, destroying sites that Hezbollah “planned to use as launching pads for attacks against Israel.” .
The military added on Sunday that around 70 projectiles were launched from Lebanon toward Israel within minutes, some of which were intercepted.
Separately, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced on Sunday night that Israeli bulldozers had deliberately destroyed a guard tower and border fence in the garrison town of Marwahin in southern Lebanon.
“We once again remind the IDF and all stakeholders of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property and to respect at all times the inviolability of United Nations facilities,” UNIFIL said in a statement. Ta.
Meanwhile, world powers await Israeli retaliation for Iran’s attack on the Jewish state, launched on October 1 in support of Tehran’s ally Lebanon. Late Friday, it was revealed that a top secret US document purporting to reveal details of Israel’s plan to attack Iran had been leaked and published online.
With Agence France-Presse and Reuters
