What's left of one of the branches of the Al-Qard Al Hassan bank (video clip/Telegram)

Israel Strikes Hezbollah’s Financial Network in Major Lebanon Offensive

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The Judean Staff
News

In a bold and decisive escalation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have unleashed a powerful wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah's financial lifeline, Al-Qard al-Hassan, which Israel and international powers have long accused of funneling money to the Iran-backed terror group. The strikes have targeted key financial hubs across Lebanon, with a particular focus on Beirut, the southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and the country's south.

A Strategic Blow to Hezbollah's Economic Foundations

Israeli intelligence has zeroed in on Al-Qard al-Hassan, which operates under the guise of a micro-credit lending organization, as the financial arm of Hezbollah. The organization, which provides essential financial services to many Lebanese, has been used to move vast sums of money under the radar. While Hezbollah is deeply embedded within Lebanon's socio-economic fabric, Israel has now struck at the heart of its financial operations, leaving no corner of Lebanon untouched.

A senior Israeli intelligence official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that these strikes are part of a broad and sustained effort to degrade Hezbollah’s ability to wage war against Israel. "We are targeting a large number of assets linked to Hezbollah’s financial and military activities. The terror group will soon feel the crippling effects of these actions."

Explosions Rock Beirut and Beyond

The operation commenced late Sunday night, with thunderous explosions shaking Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Al-Qard al-Hassan has numerous branches. Lebanese state media reported panic-stricken residents fleeing their homes as massive fireballs lit up the night sky. In the eastern Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, similar scenes unfolded as Israeli warplanes delivered precision-guided strikes against key Hezbollah-aligned financial infrastructure.

Lebanon’s National News Agency confirmed 11 strikes in total, including one close to Beirut’s international airport—a critical hub for humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. The strategic nature of these strikes demonstrates Israel's intent to cut Hezbollah off from its financial arteries while minimizing collateral damage to civilian infrastructure.

A Coordinated Economic and Military Strike

Israel's multi-pronged approach is not just about battlefield superiority; it is also about crippling Hezbollah's economic foundations. Al-Qard al-Hassan has long been a target of international sanctions, including by the United States, which has accused the organization of laundering money and helping Hezbollah circumvent global financial systems. While Al-Qard al-Hassan presents itself as a lender helping ordinary Lebanese, it has been deeply entwined in Hezbollah’s terror financing network, a fact confirmed by numerous intelligence agencies.

Israel contends that the money managed by Al-Qard al-Hassan not only pays the salaries of Hezbollah operatives but also funds the procurement of advanced weaponry, including missiles that could be used against Israeli civilians. By striking at these assets, Israel seeks to reduce Hezbollah’s capacity to wage asymmetric warfare, particularly at a time when tensions on Israel's northern border are flaring up.

Hezbollah’s Response and Defiance

In response to the strikes, Hezbollah and Al-Qard al-Hassan have issued a defiant statement, dismissing Israel’s campaign as "bankrupt and desperate." They assured Lebanese citizens that their money was safe, claiming to have implemented "robust measures" to protect their clients' assets. However, this attempt to downplay the severity of the strikes appears hollow, as the sheer scale of Israel's bombardment suggests otherwise.

Israel's military actions have now brought the war against Hezbollah into a new and more intense phase. By targeting the financial support structure of one of the most dangerous terror organizations in the region, Israel is sending a clear message: Hezbollah’s ability to wage war will be eroded at every level, from its fighters on the battlefield to its financiers in the backroom.

The Larger Geopolitical Picture

As this conflict escalates, Israel is not only weakening Hezbollah but also sending a clear signal to Iran, the terror group’s chief sponsor. The IDF’s strategy demonstrates that Israel will not tolerate Hezbollah's ongoing threats, nor will it allow Iran to establish a foothold in Lebanon unchallenged. With these latest strikes, Israel is proving that it has the intelligence, precision, and resolve to dismantle Hezbollah’s war machine piece by piece.

Israel's bombardment of Al-Qard al-Hassan has brought the financial underpinnings of Hezbollah under the spotlight, exposing the extent to which Hezbollah relies on a web of illicit financial networks to sustain its operations. The message from Jerusalem is unmistakable: No target is off-limits, and the cost of financing terror will be paid in full.

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