The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on branches of al-Qard al-Hasan, a financial institution associated with Lebanon's Hezbollah. The strikes aimed to disrupt the funding of Hezbollah's military wing, resulting in the destruction of over a dozen branches across Lebanon. This action followed an earlier airstrike that killed a key Hezbollah figure referred to as the group's 'finance minister.'
Al-Qard al-Hasan operates as a non-profit charity outside the Lebanese financial system and serves as a means for Hezbollah to maintain support among the Shiite population. The institution offers interest-free loans, accepts gold deposits as collateral, and provides financial assistance for various purposes such as education, weddings, and small businesses.
