Israel’s military has destroyed a financial center linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon, claiming the building provided financial support to the militant group. The airstrike targeted a banking facility and surrounding areas, which were completely demolished. On Sunday evening and into Monday morning, Israeli fighter jets roared over Lebanon, bombing around 300 sites in a single night.
The destruction of Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure has shifted the balance in Israel’s favor in the ongoing conflict. The branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, an organization with over 30 branches across Lebanon and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, were among the targets. Israel bombed 15 densely populated areas in central Beirut and its outskirts, aiming to dismantle Hamas’ financial cells and banks. The financial institution in question was allegedly storing large amounts of money and gold collected by Hamas. Israeli forces are now closely monitoring the area.
The Israeli military also announced that, as part of their military drills, vehicles and troops would be moving through Nahariya, a coastal city near the Lebanese border. This movement signals that Israel may be preparing for a ground war in Lebanon, similar to their Gaza operations.
Israel had previously stated that they were launching a campaign against Hezbollah’s funding networks. Civilians in areas targeted by the Al-Qard Al-Hassan branches were warned to evacuate before the bombings began. Israel also notified its citizens in Lebanon that more airstrikes would occur in various locations over the coming hours.
Due to these warnings, no civilian casualties have been reported. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, mentioned that Israel would soon expose how Iran has been secretly funding Hezbollah’s terrorist activities by using civilian institutions and associations as cover.
Explosions were reported across the Lebanese capital, including near the international airport in southern Beirut, close to Hezbollah’s main stronghold of Dahiya. Beirut was said to be engulfed in a series of explosions that lit up the night sky on Sunday and early Monday. Hundreds of residents fled their homes in fear.
Eyewitnesses told Reuters that thick black smoke rose over Beirut following at least 10 explosions. A building in the Chiyah neighborhood of southern Beirut was reduced to rubble, and locals reported that several people fled the area just before the blast. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Videos showed one of Beirut’s taller buildings collapsing as terrified crowds screamed and ran for safety. By Monday morning, the streets were deserted, and traffic jams were reported in parts of Beirut due to the mass exodus of residents. There are concerns that Israel’s sustained airstrikes could completely devastate the historic city of Beirut.
With the arrival of more Israeli ground troops over the next two days, many wonder if the beautiful and historically significant city of Beirut will be left in ruins. Israel has no inherent animosity toward Lebanon, but Hezbollah provoked Israel by launching rockets from Lebanon, causing death and destruction in retaliation for the conflict in Gaza.
