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The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Sunday that they are preparing to launch attacks against an organization accused of funding Hezbollah in Lebanon. Authorities have urged residents to evacuate areas near the Al-Qard Al-Hassan offices.
These impending strikes signify a broader escalation in Israel’s efforts against Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran. The situation has intensified after nearly a year of escalating cross-border conflicts, culminating in a significant military response that began in late September, aimed at undermining Hezbollah’s financial capabilities.
Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated via social media platform X, “Al-Qard Al-Hassan is involved in financing Hezbollah’s terrorist operations against Israel. Therefore, the IDF has resolved to target this terrorist infrastructure.”
Al-Qard Al-Hassan, which is under US sanctions, is a financial entity linked to Hezbollah and has been classified as a terrorist organization by Saudi Arabia.
Adraee urged those living close to any Al-Qard Al-Hassan facilities to evacuate immediately. He later identified more than a dozen sites associated with Hezbollah, located in southern Beirut and the Bekaa Valley.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, another Israeli military spokesperson, indicated in a televised update that multiple targets would be attacked in the coming hours and overnight.
In the Lebanese coastal city of Sidon, the announcement caused panic among displaced individuals sheltering near an Al-Qard Al-Hassan branch, leading many to flee towards safer areas.
According to the US Treasury, Al-Qard Al-Hassan has been utilized by Hezbollah to disguise financial activities and facilitate access to the international financial system. An Israeli intelligence official noted that the organization plays a crucial role in Hezbollah’s financial network, helping to fund its operations and pay its militants.
The official emphasized that the strikes aim not only to financially impair Hezbollah but also to disrupt the trust between the group and the Shiite community reliant on Al-Qard Al-Hassan’s services.
“Al-Qard Al-Hassan does not belong to the Lebanese state; it is part of Hezbollah,” the official remarked, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Following the escalation of conflict in late September, Israel has broadened its military focus to Lebanon, continuing a year-long conflict against Hamas in Gaza. Recently, the Israeli military has executed extensive strikes on Hezbollah positions, including one that reportedly resulted in the death of the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, alongside a deployment of ground forces into southern Lebanon.
