The Israeli Defense Forces is expected to conduct airstrikes against Lebanon late Sunday targeting financial institutions linked to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
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The registered nonprofit is sanctioned by both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, provides financial services and is also used by Lebanese civilians.
The IDF issued evacuation orders for civilians close to these financial institutions. IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the strikes will be widespread, targeting not just financial centers in Beirut, but also other Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.
Fox News is told the goal is to strike at the heart of Hezbollahâ€
A senior intelligence official indicated earlier Sunday that not all of Hezbollahâ€
The official noted that there are hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians – mostly Shias – who use this banking system, and there are a number of branches in Beirut expected to be targeted.
A year of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah over the war in Gaza turned into all-out war last month, and Israel sent ground troops into Lebanon early this month.
Israel’s announcement came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called civilian casualties in Lebanon ‘far too high’ in the Israel-Hezbollah war, and urged Israel to scale back some strikes, especially in and around Beirut.
Iran supports the Lebanon-based Hezbollah, and the United States is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents indicating that Israel was moving military assets into place for a military strike in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1, according to three U.S. officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they werenâ€
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.