Israel don begin dey bomb Lebanon on Sunday, targeting financial institutions wey dey link to Hezbollah, di Iran-backed militant group. Di Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announce say dem go conduct airstrikes against Lebanon, specifically targeting al-Qard al-Hassan, a unit in Hezbollah wey dey fund terrorist activities like paying operatives and buying arms.
Al-Qard al-Hassan, wey be registered nonprofit, dey provide financial services to Lebanese civilians, especially in areas where di conventional banking system don collapse. However, Israel, U.S., and Saudi Arabia sanction am as a terrorist entity because dem believe say e dey serve as front for Hezbollah’s financial operations.
IDF spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, warn civilians to vacate areas near di financial institutions wey dem plan to target. Hagari say di strikes go be widespread, targeting not just financial centers in Beirut but also other Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon. Di goal be to strike at di heart of Hezbollah’s financial support for di conflict with Israel, which has been ongoing since October 2023.
Di airstrikes dey part of Israel’s escalating campaign against Hezbollah, which has been supported by Iran. Di conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalate into full-blown war last month after Israel send ground troops into southern Lebanon. Di U.S. Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, recently call for Israel to scale back some strikes, especially in and around Beirut, due to high civilian casualties.
Hezbollah also respond with rocket attacks on Israel, firing over 170 rockets into di country on Sunday. Di Lebanese army report say three of their soldiers die in an Israeli airstrike on their vehicle in southern Lebanon.
Di situation in Lebanon dey worsen as di country grapple with deep financial and economic crisis since 2019. Di airstrikes and ongoing conflict dey add to di suffering of Lebanese civilians, many of whom rely on Al-Qard al-Hassan for financial services.
