Beirut, Lebanon — Beirut witnessed a series of explosions after Israel issued warnings of potential strikes targeting Hezbollah’s financial operations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) detailed plans for targeting a significant number of sites linked to Hezbollah’s al Qard al Hassan financial arm, responsible for funding its operatives and acquiring arms. The warnings specifically mentioned areas in southern Beirut and eastern Bekaa Valley, with additional strikes anticipated throughout Lebanon.
The IDF identified one explosion near Beirut’s Rafic Al Hariri International Airport and cautioned civilians to avoid sites associated with Hezbollah’s financial activities. This announcement came shortly after Israel claimed responsibility for striking Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons workshop in Beirut. The IDF also reported eliminating senior Hezbollah commander Al-Haj Abbas Salama along with two other operatives in the Tebnine area.
On the same day, the IDF reported receiving over 160 rockets launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, escalating tensions that have simmered since a series of attacks by Hamas last October. The ongoing flare-ups at the border have involved exchanges between Israeli forces and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, intensifying regional instability.
U.S. officials have begun probing a possible leak involving top-secret intelligence documents concerning Israel’s potential response strategies, after recent missile launches from Iran directly into Israel. The leaked documents implied strategic deliberations by Israel under watch by U.S. intelligence, as reported by NBC News.
In a separate incident, the Lebanese Army reported the deaths of three soldiers in southern Lebanon due to Israeli strikes, emphasizing that while the army does not operate with Hezbollah, repeated clashes have occurred at the border.
Further challenging peace prospects, UN forces in Lebanon accused Israel of deliberately destroying an observation post and a perimeter fence at a UN position in Marwahin. The UN reiterated its call to respect the safety and security of its personnel and premises.
In Gaza, reports emerged of a significant Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahiya, one of the initial targets in the ongoing conflict, resulting in at least 87 fatalities and injuring 40, as per the Hamas-run health authority in Gaza. The death toll in Gaza has been a subject of contention, with Israel disputing the figures reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
Simultaneously, tensions extend to Gaza’s north, particularly the Jabalia area, where the IDF has urged evacuations, including hospital personnel, under claims of the territory being used as cover by Hamas. However, these evacuation orders have been met with resistance from medical staff fearing future Israeli control over northern Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign appears to have pivoted towards a broader objective of eliminating Hamas’s fighting capacity entirely, according to military analysis. These ongoing operations suggest a protracted conflict with no immediate resolution in sight, underlining the complexity and enduring nature of the regional disputes.