Egypt Daily News – The recent violent strikes against the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, affiliated with Hezbollah, have escalated tensions in Lebanon, particularly in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reacted to these developments, sharing a dramatic image of the affected areas and asserting that “Beirut is burning.”
He emphasized Israel’s intent to dismantle what he described as the “Iranian octopus’s” influence in the region, highlighting a series of airstrikes that targeted Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure.
Katz’s comments come in the wake of a major Israeli military operation that involved dozens of airstrikes on the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Foundation across multiple Lebanese regions.
This included approximately 11 strikes focused on the association’s headquarters, with one airstrike occurring near Rafic Hariri International Airport. Reports indicated that many areas, such as Baalbek, Hermel, Riyaq, and Sidon, also faced attacks, causing a significant sense of fear and instability among local populations, particularly among displaced residents seeking refuge.
This development has drawn attention to the association, which Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah defended in January 2021, mentioning that it serves around 1.8 million beneficiaries with contributions exceeding $3 billion.
This financial ecosystem is noted to be heavily funded by Iran. The Israeli military’s latest actions seem to be a retaliation against Hezbollah for recent rocket attacks targeting Israel, and officials have stated that Hezbollah will face severe repercussions for its aggression. The ongoing violence and strikes raise concerns about the future stability of the region and the humanitarian impact on affected communities.
