With strikes on Hezbollah-linked banks, Israel’s campaign in Lebanon strays further from military targets
Israel’s recent strikes on the Hezbollah-affiliated bank Qard al-Hassan have been among the most intense since its offensive in Lebanon began over a month ago. Some attacks destroyed entire residential blocks, with nearly a dozen airstrikes hitting the southern suburbs of Beirut, including one just a few hundred meters from the country’s only commercial airport. Planes were seen landing as explosions lit up the night sky.
Israel stated its goal is to dismantle Hezbollah’s financial network, targeting Qard al-Hassan as a key mechanism for paying the salaries of its fighters. However, these lending offices also provide interest-free loans to working-class Shia families.
It’s important to note that many of Hezbollah’s institutions not only support its militant activities but also serve as a social safety net for Shia civilians in a largely failed state. As public services in Lebanon deteriorate, sectarian factions, including Hezbollah, fill the gap, reinforcing a kleptocratic power-sharing system that has eroded the central government over decades.
Given Hezbollah’s deep roots in the Shia community and Lebanon as a whole, Israel may justify strikes on infrastructure as attacks on the group. However, as its operations move further from Hezbollah’s military capabilities, the repercussions for Lebanese civilians and the state grow more severe.
Israel arrests 7 citizens accused of operating “spy network” for Iran
Israeli authorities have dismantled a “spy network” involving seven Israeli citizens accused of collaborating with Iran, according to a statement from Israel Police and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) on Monday.
The suspects, all Jewish citizens from Haifa and other northern regions, were allegedly gathering sensitive information on IDF bases and energy infrastructure. Their activities reportedly spanned over two years and included extensive reconnaissance missions across IDF facilities, for which they were financially compensated, often using cryptocurrency.
The police and ISA stated that these arrests highlight Iran’s ongoing attempts to recruit and exploit Israeli citizens for espionage and terrorism within Israel. An indictment is expected to be filed in the coming days.
These arrests occur as Israel gears up for a potential response against Iran following a missile barrage from Tehran on October 1, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that Iran “will pay” for its actions.
