Watch: Israel launches intelligence-based strikes on dozens of Hezbollah sites

Israel

has escalated its offensive, targeting Hezbollah’s financial network in southern Beirut. Early Sunday, the Israeli military announced it was launching strikes on

Al-Qard al-Hassan

, an institution accused of financing Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon. Explosions soon followed in Beirut’s southern suburbs, with reports of significant damage.
"Overnight, the IAF conducted a series of targeted, intelligence-based strikes against dozens of facilities and sites used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to finance its terrorist activities against the State of Israel," the

IDF

said in a statement.

The strikes were conducted in the areas of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and deep within Lebanese territory.
"These funds, which Hezbollah used for terror activities, were stored by the Al-Qard al-Hassan Association, which directly funds Hezbollah's terror activities, including the purchase of weapons and payments to operatives in Hezbollah's military wing, the IDF added.
The

Israeli Air Force

targeted branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a US-sanctioned bank established in the 1980s that provides financial services, such as loans and ATM transactions, to Lebanon's Shiite community. Al-Qard al-Hassan, a registered nonprofit, serves as Hezbollah’s financial arm, managing funds for operatives and helping to procure arms.

The IDF said that prior to the strike, "numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians," including advance warnings issued via different platforms to the civilian population in the area. "These strikes are part of the IDF's ongoing efforts to degrade Hezbollah's terror infrastructure, its military capabilities and ability to rebuild."

The strikes are part of Israel’s broader campaign against Hezbollah, which has intensified over the past month. In addition to targeting southern Beirut, Israeli forces struck the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence. Lebanese state media reported at least 11 strikes on Hezbollah-linked sites, with footage showing plumes of smoke near Beirut's main airport.

The Israeli military has also warned of further attacks on Hezbollah positions, emphasising its intent to cripple the group's financial infrastructure. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant told troops that the military was ramping up strikes on Hezbollah strongholds, accusing the group of using these areas as launchpads for attacks on Israel.

In response to Israel's airstrikes, Hezbollah claimed it downed an Israeli drone on Sunday and launched several rocket attacks on Israeli positions along the border. Clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli ground forces have also been reported.