Israel Expands Lebanon Strikes To Banks Helping Hezbollah

Israel on Sunday night began fresh, heavy airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs as well as in the Bekka Valley in the east of Lebanon, for the first time declaring it would target banks suspected of financing Hezbollah.

"The air force will launch extensive strikes on targets in the southern suburb of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah-linked economic assets," IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said as strikes were underway. Buildings that belong to al-Qard al-Hassan Association are at the top of the list, identified by the Israelis as long associated with the Shia paramilitary group backed by Iran.

With at least 30 branches across Lebanon, and 15 Beirut locations in bustling neighborhood, al-Qard al-Hassan Association is also used by many Lebanese civilians.

The US-sanctioned bank has been around since the 1980's and is focused on providing services to Lebanon's Shiite community, which is mostly concentrated in the south.