Israel bombs Hezbollah financial network headquarters

Follow live the latest news on the war in Gaza and Lebanon

MADRID 20 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israel has announced an offensive against targets of the Al Qadr al Hasan Association, considered the financial wing of the Lebanese Shiite party-militia, which includes bombings in the Bekaa region and also in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The spokesman for the Israeli Army, Daniel Hagari, has explained that they will attack the organization’s facilities throughout the country, which is why he urges the population to immediately distance themselves from them.

“In a few minutes we will issue evacuation orders to Lebanon’s neighbors in Beirut and other areas so that they evacuate the places used to finance Hezbollah’s terrorist activity,” he noted. “I emphasize that whoever is near these places used to finance Hezbollah’s terrorist activity must leave immediately,” he added.

This offensive includes “many places” that will be attacked “in the next few hours” and “more targets during the night.” “In the coming days we will reveal how Iran finances Hezbollah’s terrorist activity using civil institutions and associations as cover,” he said.

Hagari has argued that Hezbollah uses this institution as a bank to pay salaries to its members and support civilians. Some 300,000 people, most of them civilians, use its services.

Shortly after the Israeli announcement, Lebanese media reported explosions in the southern neighborhoods of Beirut, such as Chueifat el Amrusiyé, and in the Bekaa region. In total, Israeli evacuation orders have been issued for at least 15 buildings in which the population is urged to stay at least 500 meters away.

The Al Qadr al Hasan Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1983, according to Al Manar television, which is affiliated with Hezbollah. It offers interest-free loans following Islamic precepts.