Israeli airstrikes have expanded into central districts of Beirut for the first time in the current phase of the conflict with the Israeli military confirming operations aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure.
Among the key targets was the Al Qard Al Hassan Association which Israel says functions as the main financial arm of Hezbollah.
Israeli officials allege the organization is used to store cash reserves finance weapons procurement and distribute salaries to fighters.
Airstrikes hit several densely populated neighborhoods including Jnah Nabaa and Bourj Hammoud areas that had not previously been targeted during the latest escalation.
Nabaa and Bourj Hammoud host significant Armenian communities raising concern among local leaders about the widening geographic scope of the strikes.
The Israeli military says the attacks are part of a broader strategy to weaken Iranian influence and disrupt Hezbollah’s operational capabilities amid the ongoing confrontation with Iran.
The regional war has already produced significant casualties beyond Lebanon.
Iranian authorities report more than one thousand two hundred deaths while independent monitors estimate the toll could reach about one thousand eight hundred twenty five people including more than one thousand two hundred civilians.
Israeli authorities report fourteen deaths within Israel including twelve civilians and two soldiers since the escalation began.
International concern about the legality of the military operations is also growing.
Twelve independent experts affiliated with the United Nations human rights system issued a joint statement condemning what they described as flagrant violations of international law criticizing displacement orders issued in southern Lebanon and calls for unconditional surrender directed at Iran.
Diplomatic efforts to de escalate the conflict have so far failed leaving humanitarian agencies warning that the war could broaden further if additional regional actors become involved.
