IDF Issues Evacuation Orders Amid Strikes on Hezbollah Banking Systems

Israel's military, the IDF, has initiated strikes targeting banks and financial institutions linked to the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. The IDF has issued evacuation orders for 24 areas, including 14 neighborhoods in Beirut, cautioning residents of imminent strikes.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced plans for extensive attacks, stating they would expose how Iran funds Hezbollah's operations through civil institutions and NGOs. He emphasized that the strikes would continue overnight and the attack outcomes would be disclosed in the upcoming months.

The primary focus of the strikes is the Hezbollah-run banking system, al-Qard al-Hassan, a US and Saudi-sanctioned non-profit providing cash-based financial services used by many Lebanese. In response, al-Qard al-Hassan claimed that the Israeli decision reflects "bankruptcy" and assured its customers regarding the safety of their funds.

As reports of explosions surfaced in Beirut, crowds of residents fled the city, resulting in significant traffic disruptions. The escalation follows U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's comments on the high civilian casualties in Lebanon, where over 1,700 individuals have died in recent attacks, including many women and children.

The ongoing conflict, sparked by the war in Gaza, intensified last month, with Israel conducting a targeted ground operation in Lebanon involving approximately 15,000 troops. Meanwhile, Hezbollah reportedly fired over 170 rockets into Israel, causing minor injuries in Safed.

The Lebanese army remains largely inactive in the conflict, unable to counter Hezbollah's influence or defend against Israeli attacks. The United States is also examining an unauthorized document release suggesting Israeli military movements ahead of retaliatory actions against Iranian missile strikes.