Israel strikes Hezbollah financial institutions as Lebanon calls for talks

The Israeli military struck the Al-Qard al-Hasan financial institution in Beirut after announcing it would target branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated charity, NNA reported.

“The Israeli military has struck the Al-Qard al-Hasan financial institution in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, after issuing a statement announcing that it would target the branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated charity”

Al Jazeera

Strikes hit the Al-Qard al-Hasan building in the Bir al-Abed area of Haret Hreik and another branch along the road to Beirut’s international airport.

Al Jazeera

Lebanese authorities blocked roads and redirected traffic leading to the Al-Qard al-Hasan branch in Nouairi.

The article notes the quasi-banking system operates outside the Lebanese financial system to provide interest-free loans.

It adds that the institution has been under United States sanctions since 2007.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, said residents were "living on edge".

She said that while Israel had issued a warning, "more often than not, strikes come without any prior notice."

Al Jazeera

More strikes were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs, which have been largely emptied after forced evacuation warnings.

Those affected by the forced evacuation in southern Lebanon make up almost 8 percent of the country’s population.

Contrary to the emptied southern neighbourhoods, the central Beirut neighbourhood of Nouairi is densely populated and hosts many internally displaced people.

“The Israeli military has struck the Al-Qard al-Hasan financial institution in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, after issuing a statement announcing that it would target the branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated charity”

Al Jazeera

Khodr said local authorities told people to leave, but a nearby school housing displaced people has led many to choose not to leave the area.

President Joseph Aoun said on Monday he had informed the United Nations and the international community of Lebanon’s readiness to resume negotiations to halt the Israeli aggression.

Israel reached a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in November 2024, but near-daily violations continued and killed hundreds and wounded many more.

Fighting flared up again after Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, a Hezbollah ally.

Al Jazeera

Israeli air raids have killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands across Lebanon since Hezbollah responded to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by resuming cross-border attacks on March 2.

Lebanon’s social affairs minister said 517,000 people had been registered as displaced since the conflict resumed.