On the 20th (local time), smoke rises in the southern suburbs of Dahieh in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, due to an airstrike by the Israeli military. According to AP, the Israeli military has launched an attack aimed at cutting off Hezbollah’s financial resources. On that day, the Israeli forces targeted the Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial institution linked to Hezbollah, by conducting airstrikes around Beirut.
Previously, the United States had requested Israel not to attack densely populated areas to prevent large-scale civilian casualties. However, according to Reuters, at least ten airstrikes were reportedly conducted across Beirut. CNN reported that three branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan in southern Beirut were attacked by the Israeli military.
The Israeli military advised residents living near branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, an institution alleged to be funding Hezbollah’s terrorist activities, to evacuate. Established in 1983, Al-Qard Al-Hassan is a nonprofit financial institution based in Lebanon, providing interest-free loans to Shiite believers according to Islamic law. Beyond funding Hezbollah, it essentially operates as a bank in Lebanon.
With more than 30 branches throughout Lebanon, 15 of them are located in the densely populated central and suburban areas of Beirut. These branches are mostly situated on the ground floors of residential buildings. According to the Israeli military, it’s estimated that about 300,000 members of the Shiite community in Lebanon use this institution.
The U.S. government has viewed Al-Qard Al-Hassan as a conduit through which Iran supports Hezbollah and other armed groups, imposing sanctions on the organization since 2007.
Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli military, stated that the objective of the attack is to disrupt Hezbollah’s financial network and weaken the trust between Hezbollah and the Shiite community.
Despite repeated condemnations from the international community, the Israeli military attacked facilities related to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stationed in Lebanon. UNIFIL issued a statement condemning the deliberate destruction of a UNIFIL observation tower and surrounding fence in Lebanon’s southern Marwahin region by the Israeli military, calling it a violation of international law and the UN Security Council resolution.
The Israeli military, engaging in a ground campaign in southern Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah, has demanded the withdrawal of UNIFIL troops stationed there under the Security Council resolution, arguing that they interfere with military operations, and has come under sharp criticism for attacks on UN forces and their facilities.
In particular, Israeli military attacks focused on UNIFIL’s observation towers and cameras have sparked speculation of deliberate attempts to disable the UN forces’ war crime monitoring activities.
Due to the ongoing attacks and destruction of facilities by the Israeli military, UNIFIL troops stationed in the ‘Blue Line’ border area between Lebanon and Israel are reportedly struggling to receive adequate water supplies. UNICEF has earlier warned that the lack of clean water in the region is raising the risk of a cholera outbreak.
The situation in Beit Lahia, a northern city in Gaza, continues to deteriorate following Israeli airstrikes that left at least 87 people dead. According to Reuters, ongoing attacks and communication blackouts are severely hampering rescue efforts, with many casualties believed to be buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings from airstrikes.
A local surgeon, Mahmoud Alhaji Ahmad, told The Washington Post, “There are many wounded on the streets, but anyone trying to reach them becomes a target of the Israeli military.”
In Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, a Palestinian child is seen returning after receiving a water supply on the 21st (local time). (Xinhua News Agency)
The Israeli military has surrounded northern Gaza, cutting off aid supplies and launching extensive bombings, citing signs of Hamas regrouping this month. Amid the blockade, humanitarian aid entering Gaza has plummeted, prompting the international community to resume aid air drops. However, a tragic incident occurred when a 3-year-old child was struck and killed by an aid package dropped from the air in central Gaza.
Aid air drops are considered a ‘last resort’ in conflict areas due to their inefficiency, high costs, and increased risk of civilian injuries compared to land transport.