Israel's recent attacks on the offices of the Hezbollah-affiliated bank Qard al-Hassan have been some of the most intense strikes since the beginning of its offensive in Lebanon over a month ago. These attacks resulted in the destruction of entire residential blocks, with nearly a dozen airstrikes hitting the southern suburbs of Beirut.
One of the striking aspects of these attacks was their proximity to the country's only commercial airport, with planes seen landing on the tarmac as balls of fire illuminated the night sky. Israel stated that its objective was to disrupt Hezbollah's financial network as part of a broader effort to dismantle the militant group's infrastructure. Qard al-Hassan was identified as a key channel through which Hezbollah paid its fighters' salaries.
However, it is important to note that these lending offices also play a crucial role in providing interest-free loans to working-class Shia Muslim families. Many of Hezbollah's institutions, including these services, serve as a social safety net for Shia civilians in a country where public institutions often fall short. In Lebanon's fragmented political landscape, sectarian factions like Hezbollah frequently step in to fill gaps left by the central government.
Given Hezbollah's deep integration within the Shia Muslim community and Lebanese society as a whole, Israel's targeting of infrastructure linked to the group raises concerns about potential collateral damage to civilians and the state. While Israel may justify these strikes as necessary to weaken Hezbollah, the broader impact on Lebanese civilians and the country's governance structures cannot be overlooked.
