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Israel launched multiple air strikes across Beirut and southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah strongholds, including branches of a bank accused of financially supporting the militant group. Explosions were reported in Hezbollah-controlled areas such as Dahieh in southern Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and other regions of southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had warned residents in over 20 areas, including 14 in Beirut, to evacuate as strikes would continue throughout the night.
The IDF's focus included financial institutions like the Al-Qard Al-Hassan association, which Israel claims funnels Iranian money to Hezbollah for weapons and paying its fighters. The bank has been under U.S. sanctions since 2007. Among the sites hit was a branch near Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, where smoke was seen after the blast.
טוס נוחת בשדה התעופה הבינלאומי בביירות על רקע הדאחיה הבוערת pic.twitter.com/PgNNaF9Zbp
— אור פיאלקוב (@orfialkov) October 20, 2024
Hezbollah responded by firing more rockets at Israeli military positions and troops, with the IDF stating that dozens of projectiles had been launched at northern Israel in the past 24 hours. Israeli warplanes also targeted a Hezbollah intelligence command center and an underground weapons workshop in Beirut, saying efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties.
The UN criticized Israel after its forces allegedly destroyed a UN observation post on the Lebanese border, calling the action a violation of international law. Separately, the Lebanese army reported that three soldiers were killed in an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, marking the latest in a series of incidents that have seen Lebanese troops caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has escalated its attacks on Israel in support of Hamas amid ongoing violence in Gaza. Lebanese officials estimate that over 2,400 people have been killed in the conflict in the past year, while Israel reports 59 deaths in its northern region and the Golan Heights.
[With information from: BBC]
