Beirut Residents Flee Amid Explosions as Israel Targets Hezbollah's Financial Operations

Beirut's streets were filled with panic on Sunday night as hundreds of residents evacuated their homes following multiple explosions across the city. Witnesses reported at least 10 blasts, with dense plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. A building in the Chiyah neighborhood was destroyed, but thankfully, no casualties were reported as people had already evacuated the area.

As chaos unfolded, eyewitnesses described traffic jams as residents attempted to escape to safer neighborhoods. An Israeli military spokesperson announced on social media that they planned to attack infrastructure linked to Hezbollah’s financial operations, specifically targeting the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, urging people to leave those areas immediately.

Al-Qard Al-Hassan is alleged to be a financial arm of Hezbollah, managing its finances across more than 30 branches in Lebanon, including many in heavily populated areas of Beirut. While no immediate response came from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government, an Israeli intelligence official confirmed that the strikes aimed to hinder Hezbollah’s economic capabilities both during the current conflict and in the future.

The violence escalated following a year of cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified when Hezbollah began launching rockets in support of Hamas during the Gaza conflict. Earlier in October, Israel launched ground assaults in Lebanon in response to rocket attacks aimed at northern Israel.

Israel’s military operations have intensified in both Gaza and Lebanon, especially after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which prompted hopes for a ceasefire. As tensions rise, Israel aims to secure its borders while avoiding strikes on Iranian energy or nuclear facilities, despite ongoing provocations.

In recent strikes, Israel claimed to have hit Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons facility in Beirut. Reports indicated that three Hezbollah commanders were killed in these operations, although Hezbollah has yet to confirm these claims. Meanwhile, Israel suffered losses, including the death of a colonel during combat in northern Gaza.

As the situation escalates, rescuers continue to recover victims from rubble following a significant attack on the Gaza city of Beit Lahiya that resulted in numerous casualties. The ongoing conflict has caused extensive destruction, with over 42,500 reported dead in Gaza and significant displacement affecting millions of residents. In Lebanon, more than 2,400 lives have been lost, with over 1.2 million displaced amid the turmoil.

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